Benefits of Engaging With Startup Communities

Building an Entrepreneurial Ecosystem: Key Lessons. Creating vibrant entrepreneurial ecosystems is essential for community growth and startup success. Key Insights: Critical Components: → Strong Networks Matter: An impressive 92% of entrepreneurs believe that a solid network is crucial for growth. A robust network not only provides access to resources but also fosters collaboration and mentorship. → Resource Access: Regions with comprehensive support systems can boost startup survival rates by 50%. Access to funding, mentorship, and business development resources significantly increases the likelihood of startup success. → Diversity Drives Innovation: Companies with diverse teams experience a 35% increase in innovation. Diverse perspectives lead to unique solutions and approaches, enhancing overall creativity and problem-solving capabilities. Lessons Learned: 1️⃣ Build a Collaborative Culture – Look at Austin, Texas, where strategic partnerships among businesses, universities, and government entities have led to flourishing startups. This collaborative spirit not only strengthens individual businesses but also uplifts the entire community. 2️⃣ Invest in Skills Training – Cities prioritizing education, like San Francisco, have established training programs that help entrepreneurs adapt to market demands. Upskilling initiatives empower founders with the tools they need to navigate challenges effectively. 3️⃣ Encourage Risk-Taking – In regions like Israel, embracing failure is celebrated. This culture fosters experimentation, leading to breakthroughs in technology and business models, with over 20% of Israeli startups attracting global investment within their first year. The Ripple Effect of Entrepreneurship: Supporting entrepreneurs benefits individual businesses and stimulates job creation and economic growth. Studies show that new businesses create an average of 3 million jobs annually in the U.S., highlighting the critical role of startups in our economy. “Success isn’t just about what you accomplish in your life; it’s about what you inspire others to do.” By focusing on these essential elements, we can nurture ecosystems that empower the next wave of innovators. Let’s work together to make it happen! Sources: Startup Genome, Small Business Administration, McKinsey, IVC Research Center, Kauffman Foundation. #Entrepreneurship #Ecosystems #CommunityGrowth #Innovation #AngelosAngelou

One of the biggest blind spots and needs for founders? More founder friends. Not advisors, mentors, or X threads, but real peers. You can vet term sheets over dinner, swap hiring tips on morning runs, and stay plugged into the tools and trends that actually matter. More importantly you can crowdsource your mistakes/lessons learned to avoid issues. It’s easier in SF or NYC (especially YC with Bookface), where startup gravity makes those connections feel organic. Lean into the discomfort and build your founder circle because isolation isn't just lonely, it’s expensive. We’ve seen it too many times: • A first-time founder gives up way too much equity early on. • You hear about the next 10x sales/coding/productivity tool 6 months later than everyone else and are now behind. • Which recruiter/law firm/banking partner actually delivered? • Are those investor terms are standard? Your WhatsApp group knows. All avoidable—if they'd had a few founder friends one or two stages ahead. The founders we see crushing it don’t go at it alone. They’re plugged into communities that keep them sharp, motivated, and aware, and get smarter faster. So if you're heads down building in a vacuum, it might be time to change that. It might save your cap table. #startups #venturecapital #founderadvice #scaling #foundercommunity

#StartupInsights #9: The Power of Accelerator Communities 🤝 One of the most underrated benefits of joining a startup accelerator isn't just the funding or mentorship—it's the invaluable community you become part of. When founders join an accelerator, they gain instant access to a tribe of like-minded entrepreneurs who are fighting similar battles. This peer network becomes a powerful support system where you can: /Share war stories and learn from others' mistakes /Get real-time feedback on challenges /Find potential collaboration opportunities /Build lasting relationships that extend far beyond the program ✨ For VCs, these communities serve as vibrant ecosystems to: /Observe startup dynamics in real-time /Identify promising teams through peer recognition /Build stronger portfolios through founder connections /Access deal flow through alumni networks 🤓 After working with hundreds of startups, I've seen how these communities often become the secret weapon that helps founders navigate their toughest moments. Have you been part of an accelerator community? What was your most valuable takeaway?

I've been monitoring the climatetech and decarbonization startups this year, and here’s what I learned. International Energy Agency (IEA) expects global clean energy investment to hit $2 trillion in 2024. According to the IEA, approximately 90% of cleantech startups, including venture-backed startups, fail within their first few years.  Many believe that one reason for the failure is the highly fragmented nature of the cleantech market. But that’s not 100% true. Failed startups don't have customer or community pull. This is the primary reason most climatetech and decarbonization projects fail. Here are some examples: - Hyperloop One: Despite raising over $450 million from investors, it failed to secure customers and is now selling off its assets and laying off its staff. Dramatically changing transportation systems is hard. - Running Tide: The company raised $54 million in September 2022 to tackle marine-based carbon removal suffered from low customer demand and MRV challenges. - Universal Hydrogen: Hydrogen-powered fuel cell developer raised around $100 million but failed to raise additional funds for the early stage hydrogen aviation company. - Bird: Once valued at $2 billion, the electric scooter startup filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy and was delisted from the New York Stock Exchange in 2023. - Zinc8 Energy Solutions: A flow-battery aspirant struggling to survive after losing its CEO and cutting most of its staff. There is a fantastic opportunity to learn from these companies. Push versus pull. The ones that do survive have two things in common: They focus on customers and community engagement! They have more customer pull than those that fail. A Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) study found that startups with strong community engagement are 2.5 times more likely to succeed. If you are new to the CO2 or low-carbon space, talking to everyone and building relationships is important. Creating customers and community around those relationships is key to building a business. Connect with consumers, local communities, innovators, leaders, and EVEN your competition. Find your customer and community early. Last year, I met so many cleantech leaders, innovators, and industrial emitters. Amazing people building, learning, and iterating every day. Despite common challenges like permitting delays and infrastructure limitations, the startups succeeding are creating and harnessing the customer and community pull.

The days of trying to outthink the market alone are over. ⌛ Leaders are turning to unexpected places for their next big insights. We can’t rely solely on internal insights or familiar networks—not when markets are moving this fast. As Holly Chen, ex-Google and ex-Slack, now helping startups scale from 0 to $xxxM ARR, frames it: 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗯𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝗶𝗻𝘀𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁𝘀 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗲 𝗳𝗿𝗼𝗺: 💬 Vendor conversations 🤝 Communities It clicked for me because vendors: ✔️ are uniquely positioned to spot trends we might miss. ✔️ solve problems across industries and often see shifts before the market does. Some of our best moves can start from a vendor casually mentioning what they’re hearing in the market. 𝗧𝗵𝗲𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲’𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗽𝗼𝘄𝗲𝗿 𝗼𝗳 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗺𝘂𝗻𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗲𝘀. Communities like Pavilion or GrowthMasters* are where strategies are tested before they become playbooks. It’s where market shapers exchange lessons in real time. I’ve walked away from conversations in spaces like these with ideas I couldn’t Google, strategies that hadn’t even been written about yet. Sitting down with a competitor can also spark ideas that transform our business—or the industry itself. 𝗕𝗼𝘁𝘁𝗼𝗺 𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗲: Staying ahead comes down to: ✔️ the networks we choose, ✔️ the conversations we prioritize, and ✔️ the insights we act on. Collaboration, not isolation, now defines who leads and who gets left behind. Thanks, Holly Chen, for this insight and other lessons from building ExponentialX and leading startups to double or triple their ARR and grow sustainably! . . ___ *Free but private community by and for B2B Scaleups (Series A and above or min. 7-figures revenue generated), VCs/PE/M&A, and their Ecosystem. Access a network of top performers, playbooks, and perks as well as the full recording of the conversation by joining here: https://lnkd.in/eC_7bUh5.

As a founder, one of my daily rituals is scanning through our Slack notifications for new sign-ups and insights into Layerpath from Loops and PostHog. It’s not just about numbers—it’s about the people behind them. 📩 Story 1: A Missed Connection Turns Into Valuable Insight Last week, I noticed a signup from a domain in the authentication/IAM space! 🔐 After some sleuthing, I found the founder on LinkedIn and realized he had messaged me TWO years ago! 😱 I immediately reached out, apologizing for the delayed response. What followed was an incredible conversation about: ➤ Finding the right co-founder 🤝 ➤ Product strategy & pricing 💡 ➤ Navigating startup challenges 🛤️ ↳ It wasn’t about making a sale—but connecting, sharing experiences, and giving back to the community. 📩 Story 2: Beyond Sales—Exploring Partnerships The same day, another signup caught my eye. This time, it was someone I’ve known for years—a founder of a successful 10-year-old startup. Instead of pitching our product, I reached out to understand what they sought; the conversation led to exploring potential partnerships and integrations. 🤝 ↳ Sometimes, it’s about looking beyond immediate sales and finding ways to collaborate for mutual growth. 📩 Story 3: Landing Our First Mid-Market Customer This approach even helped us land our first mid-market customer! 🎉 I noticed a signup from a founder's startup I was connected with. ↳ Reaching out personally built trust, and what started as a simple conversation became not a sale but a meaningful relationship. Key Takeaways 🔍 Stay Curious: Dive deeper into who’s signing up. You never know where it might lead. ❤️ Human Connections Matter: Automation is great, but nothing beats a personal touch. AI can’t replicate genuine human relationships. 🌱 Think Beyond Sales: Look for opportunities to partner, collaborate, and grow together. 🙌 Give Back: Sharing knowledge and helping others enriches the entire community. Human connections make a difference in a world heavily reliant on automation and AI. Do not forget the power of a simple conversation. Sometimes, that’s all it takes to create something unique. Free to reach out—I’m always up for a chat! Happy weekend! 😊 P.S: We’re not just using tools like Slack, Loops, and PostHog; the vision behind them inspires us at Layerpath. From Loops’ (Chris, Adam) rapid shipping and growth to PostHog’s (🦔 james, Tim) brilliant website, customer-centric positioning, and pricing model—these are not just tools but beacons of innovation that inspire us. #startup #founders #community #partnerships #growth #givingback #serendipity

Startups that 'make it' don’t just build great products—they master the art of connection before the product even exists." Reflection In an interview this morning with John Emoavwodua, I shared one of the most underrated growth levers for early-stage companies: leveraging thought leadership and #partnerships before launch. It’s not about hyping the product—it’s about owning the problem space. On LinkedIn, I’ve worked very hard (for years) to build a community of people who care deeply about the challenges we’re solving. This simple, focused effort made launching Air Traffic Control far more impactful. Here’s what's been working for me and Air Traffic Control: 1) Talk about the problem your audience is facing, not just your product. In fact, early on, ONLY talk about the problem. 2) Engage with early beta users as design partners—they’ll become your first advocates and content creators. - we did not do this nearly as well as we should have. If ever I'm launching another company or advising, a well run design partner program is something I'll always advocate for. 3) Partner with ecosystems and apps your ideal customers already trust. - I think it's BANANAS that a small startup, today, wouldn't build from Day 0 with partnered distribution in its DNA. Whatever you think "good" is in partnerships, go 4 clicks deeper. You'll be shocked by how well it works even for tiny founder teams because 99% of "partners" aren't doing it. Takeaways (for me, at least) - Add value before you ask for it. - Build conviction and connection, not just awareness. - Partnerships, community engagement, and authentic storytelling aren't just "strategies"—they're how you build something that lasts (even before you've built something). What's your unfair early stage growth lever?

Communities aren’t just networks. They’re the launchpads that propel us toward our goals. Whether you’re a career professional, business owner, decision maker or a startup founder, tapping into the collective wisdom, tools, and experiences of a community can be a game-changer. I vividly recall pivotal moments when I was starting out.  I lacked specific tools and expertise but gained access to what I needed through the community connections. One of the community members provided a software license that would have been expensive to purchase. Another member offered an expert advice on a complex problem I (and rest of the community) was facing. On the same token, I was able to share my knowledge and experience with like-minded fellow members. There was not only the guidance but also encouragement and accountability from peers. This kind of resource-sharing and masterminding not only accelerated our growth but saved us considerable time and money. Collectively, community was instrumental in overcoming hurdles that could have stalled our progress. This is the kind of support every professional needs. So don't hesitate to join a community or a mastermind or a coaching program. Sharing is caring. Share, learn, and grow together. After all, no one succeeds alone.

Most Series A startups miss one of their biggest GTM levers: their own users. Here's why and how you can tap into community-led growth: 🌱 𝗪𝗵𝘆 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗺𝘂𝗻𝗶𝘁𝘆-𝗹𝗲𝗱 𝗴𝗿𝗼𝘄𝘁𝗵? ● 𝘊𝘰𝘴𝘵 𝘦𝘧𝘧𝘪𝘤𝘪𝘦𝘯𝘵: Engaging with existing communities or building your own can deliver high returns with minimal investment. ● 𝘕𝘦𝘵𝘸𝘰𝘳𝘬 𝘦𝘧𝘧𝘦𝘤𝘵𝘴: Communities grow exponentially, where each new member amplifies your reach and impact. ● 𝘝𝘢𝘭𝘶𝘦-𝘥𝘳𝘪𝘷𝘦𝘯: Communities thrive on mutual value creation, fostering deeper connections and loyalty. 🌱 𝗛𝗼𝘄 𝘁𝗼 𝗴𝗲𝘁 𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗺𝘂𝗻𝗶𝘁𝘆-𝗹𝗲𝗱 𝗚𝗧𝗠 𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗴𝘆? ● Identify and engage with communities where your target audience already spends their time. Contribute valuable insights and build relationships before promoting your product. ● If you have an existing audience, consider creating a community around your brand. Focus on a clear mission, shared values, and continuous value addition to foster engagement. ● Share non-promotional, valuable content regularly. 🌱 𝗧𝗼 𝗰𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗮 𝘁𝗵𝗿𝗶𝘃𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗺𝘂𝗻𝗶𝘁𝘆, 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗺𝘂𝘀𝘁: ● Define a clear mission. ● Set measurable success metrics. ● Establish roles and rules to maintain order. ● Create rituals and activities that keep members coming back. ● Ensure every interaction adds value to members and the company. Remember, building a successful community takes time and consistent effort. It's a long game, but the rewards are worth it. Level up your strategy using Maja Voje's Community Management Canvas: https://lnkd.in/gHKV3Tb4. Check the visual below which outlines the key elements for building and managing a successful community. I help startups identify and accelerate their unique marketing advantages to gain a competitive edge. Explore how we can work together: https://t2m.io/tmVRzGGc #marketing #startups #GTM #entrepreneurship #founders