A statement I make regularly to my students is that entrepreneurs are focused on satisfying needs. This is stated in connection with the basic requirement that a business needs customers. And, in that context it is essentially important. Frankly, I wish more entrepreneurs understood this when they started new businesses. Recently, though, I have had some conversations with a few friends that have reminded me that entrepreneurship also often fills a more immediate need. And, that is the … [Read more...]
Are You Ready For Artificial Vision? The Future Is Yesterday’s Tomorrow
February 15, 2013 By
About 8 years ago, I came very close to licensing some technology from the Naval Research Lab to start a company to do something extraordinary. The technology was a retinal prosthetic – an implant that would substitute for the degraded rods and cones of an unseeing human eye. I remember my conversation with the scientist very well. He was excited about the invention’s ability to allow blind people to see again. I agreed, but also suggested something else: if the technology worked as … [Read more...]
If the Super Bowl Was Covered Like Politics – An Entrepreneur’s View of Modern Political Debate
February 4, 2013 By
Last night I watched a very competitive and engaging Super Bowl along with 100 million other Americans. As a group we watched the same commercials, taxed our neighborhood water infrastructure at the same moments and screamed at the TV at the same time. It struck me as I was watching the game that the Super Bowl was one of the few events all Americans experience in the same way. It is rare because we exist in a world of ever increasing narrow casting. As technology allows us to receive … [Read more...]
An Investor Perspective: How Committed Should an Entrepreneur Be
January 30, 2013 By
Yesterday I read a posting in Facebook that was extremely critical of a local entrepreneur CEO who had committed to spend 4 hours a week acting as a mentor for other entrepreneurs. The commentator was hard on the CEO, suggesting that a CEO who did something like this would not be backed by investors. As I read this post, I was dismayed for a few reasons. First, I like the CEO personally and think he is a solid guy. Second, I thought that the commentary was just wrong. As an investor, I … [Read more...]
Actually, Washington DC Does Have a Vibrant Startup Scene
January 28, 2013 By
The following was posted in Venture Beat today at http://venturebeat.com/2013/01/28/washington-d-c-startup-scene/. The content is also below. Kudos to Venture Beat for reacting so quickly when the DC Tech community raised its voice! GUEST POST Actually, Washington, D.C. does have a vibrant startup scene January 28, 2013 10:13 AM Jonathan Aberman A few days ago I was minding my own business, enjoying my morning Chocolate Cheerios, when I came across a guest blog post in … [Read more...]