All posts tagged adeo ressi

  • February 3, 2014

    Founder Institute Bogota 2014 y Startup Meetup

    Founder Startup Meetup Bogota 101

    Este pasado jueves 30 de enero, tuvimos el primer Startup Founder Meetup 101 en la instalaciones de Wayra Colombia.  Fue una reunión productiva y lleno de “networking” entre personas interesados en el tema de startups en Bogotá.  También fue muy inspirador para mi escuchar las preguntas de los mas de 25 participantes y tratar de responder estos junto con otros del grupo quienes también ofrecieron sus puntos de vista.  También hablamos sobre el hecho que están abiertas las inscripciones para el Founder Institute Bogota 2014 y que, en este momento, es posible tomar gratis el examen que mide 12 características de emprendimiento.

    Dentro de los temas discutidos fue el del Founder Institute Colombia el cual ya estará lanzando el quinto grupo en abril de 2014 en Bogotá.  Hablé sobre como comenzó todo con mi capacidad de “molestar” al creador del Founder Institute, Adeo Ressi, y lanzar el primer capitulo del programa en todo America Latina. Aproveché hace tres años para, al mismo tiempo, escribir un articulo sobre este hecho el cuál apareció en el New York Times.  También hablé sobre los mentores de calidad global que apoyan a los emprendedores en Colombia.  Esto incluye los que han exitosamente creado sus propios startups en Colombia así como mentores internacionales como Gabe Zichermann quien nos acompañó hace unas semanas en Bogotá.

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  • November 14, 2013

    The impact of mission-driven organizations on emerging markets

    Adeo Ressi New York TimesToday, New York Times subscribers are reading the story on Adeo Ressi and the incubator he created: The Founder Institute.  In the article, when asked why he launches also in countries such as Colombia that are nontraditional entrepreneurial environments, he responds that he has created a mission-driven organization with the objective of helping the two percent of the population with “entrepreneurial genes” launch meaningful and enduring technology companies.

    As I’ve written before, it’s been quite a rewarding ride to have been able to work with Adeo and the Founder Institute for these past three years and to be able to count on his support while running the program here in Colombia.  At one of the Founder Institute Director meetings that Adeo ran in Silicon Valley, he asked all of us, among other things, about the value of FI in each country.  In my case, I said that I feel that the value of something like the Founder Institute could be even greater in an emerging market such as Colombia, because the size of the startup industry is so small and the know-how is extremely sparse.

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  • November 6, 2013

    On thinking bigger and executing “smaller”

    TropicalGringo Puntaje Nacional

    Yesterday was a fun-filled day of meeting with the startups that are starting the 14 month program at the accelerator where I’m Program Director.  This cohort of companies seems to be filled with founders who are passionate about what they are doing and interested in giving it their all.  This makes all the difference, in my mind, not only in terms of their chances for building great businesses, but in terms of the joy and interest in help guide them in any way I can.  I noticed, along the way, that I was offering my feedback on their long term vision while pushing for short term results (more on that later).

    Also, I was delighted to meet the founders of a very interesting educational startup from Chile called Puntaje Nacional (see photo).  These founders have a startup which seems to be killing it in Chile and is now looking to expand to Colombia. One of the metrics I remember is that of 450k users.  Also, any of the startups I usually speak with in Latin America would be happy to have their revenues (won’t divulge number ’cause I didn’t ask permission) and the growth opportunities they have in front of them.

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  • October 31, 2013

    A word about chemistry

    TropicalGringo chemistry

    Yesterday was a particularly good day.  I was able to get some work done in the morning to help one of the startups I advise and then spent the rest of the day sharing meals and drinks with entrepreneurs and investors who are becoming good friends. One of these, whom I’ve known for a number of years now, Mike Hennessey, was sharing his views on chemistry and the importance of this in relationships between investors and entrepreneurs and I couldn’t agree more.

    Incredibly, when I awoke this morning, I read a post by famous investor, Fred Wilson, on just that topic.  Great minds think alike – I’m talking about Mike here. :) In the post, Fred talks about the importance of getting to know entrepreneurs (and visa versa) since a lot of the value that an investor provides will depend on maintaining a good relationship with said founder.

    Broadening the discussion on chemistry a bit, I must say that since making the switch to the “startup world” (some would say at too late a stage in my life), I have felt much more “chemistry” with the people involved.  This isn’t to say that I’m not aware that there are some people who don’t care for “moi” (I can be a pain in the neck), but I really admire entrepreneurs in general and, especially strong ones.  I kind of think that that admiration for these founders is at the core of any chemistry that might engender in the process between myself and them.

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