On Being - Or Finding - a Great Startup Advisor: Video Interview with TechStars Mentor Jud Valeski

Written by Jolie O'Dell / June 28, 2009 3:08 AM / 8 Comments

This post is part of our ReadWriteStart channel, which is a resource and guide for first-time entrepreneurs and startups. The channel is sponsored by Microsoft BizSpark. To sign up for BizSpark, click here.

With fifteen years of experience in Internet-based entrepreneurialism, Gnip CTO Jud Valeski is well qualified to offer expertise to startups, which he does through the Boulder, Colorado-based TechStars summer program.

In this interview, we see him working hands-on with the young team developing EverLater, a site for social web-using travelers. He also talks with us about how startups can get a critical mass of feedback to make important business decisions and discusses what he sees as consistent issues and characteristics of new teams, both in terms of business acumen and general temperament.

For inexperienced but passionate startup teams, finding guidance can be critical to their ultimate success. While technical expertise frequently abounds in such teams, there is often a crucial gap in knowledge about how to build a business, what amounts of funding to seek, and the next steps to take in building a company. Valeski addresses these concerns as well as the positive aspects he has perceived in the dozens of startup teams he's worked with over the years.

Microsoft BizSpark is a startup program that gives you three-year access to the latest Microsoft development tools, as well as connecting you to a nationwide network of investors and incubators. Click here to apply.

Comments

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great video. very helpful info. keep it up

Posted by: Kevin | June 28, 2009 4:45 AM

Great interview. Interesting to hear Valeski's point of view about startup mentoring. Very good synchronization: I like this counterpoint between the dialogue with Jud Valeski and the group chat scene. The cuts and transitions are carefully edited. The script works as concept and structure. Well done.

Posted by: Jorge Impellizzeri | June 28, 2009 5:58 AM

Wow, this guy really knows his pieces.

Posted by: ITrush | June 28, 2009 7:17 AM

Informative and casual.
My only remark is that I get too distracted by the girl host cause she is so drop dead gorgeous.. I wonder if her stunning beauty also affects the interviewee? It surely would made me stutter a little.. mmmm

Posted by: Miguel | June 28, 2009 8:26 AM

It is perfect. Thank you.

www.egitisim-blog.com is going to spare it.

Posted by: Eğitişim Kariyer Enstitüsü | June 28, 2009 1:38 PM

"Great interview. Interesting to hear Valeski's point of view about startup mentoring. Very good synchronization: I like this counterpoint between the dialogue with Jud Valeski and the group chat scene. The cuts and transitions are carefully edited. The script works as concept and structure. Well done. "

Good your post! thanks.

Posted by: sohbet | June 29, 2009 7:46 AM