Monthly Archives: March 2008

Taking Risks

The Stanford Venture Technology Program is one of the best source of info I know about start-ups. In one of their recent newsletter, they mention a video of Vinod Khosla (a co-founder of Sun Microsystems and former venture capitalist with Kleiner Perkins). STVP summarizes his views as follows:

khosla.jpg

“Launching a start-up is not a rational act. And Vinod Khosla, a partner in Kleiner, Perkins, Caufield & Byers and former Sun Microsystems CEO, believes that success only comes from those who are foolish enough to think unreasonably. Entrepreneurs need to stretch themselves beyond convention and constraint to reach something extraordinary.”

The Art of the Start

The Art of the Start is a great book because it inspires. Guy Kawasaki, the author, does tell you how to build a convincing vision, a convincing pitch. It is not about writing a 40-page business plan. It is about the “value of making meaning” which may induce making money. The book is clear, simple and once you have read it, you will not see things the same way… go, run and buy it!

A brief quote from the book which illustrates why start-ups are important.

“Innovation often originates outside existing organizations, in part because successful organizations acquire a commitment to the status quo and a resistance to ideas that might change it” – Nathan Rosenberg.