Episode Description

In this episode of Entrepreneur in Residence (EIR) Live, Ilya Tabakh and Terrance Orr sit down with Paul Capriolo, a venture principal at Portfolio T, to explore his journey from building successful companies to becoming a Venture Studio leader. Paul delves into his experiences in various industries, discusses the founder mentality, and shares his unique approach to risk reduction in startups. The conversation touches on the importance of self-growth, the role of venture studios in shaping entrepreneurs, and how AI is revolutionizing venture building. For aspiring EIRs, seasoned entrepreneurs, and startup enthusiasts alike, this episode offers valuable insights into the evolving landscape of entrepreneurship.

Key Points from This Episode:

• Introduction of Paul Capriolo and his background in computer science and entrepreneurship. [00:04:12]
• Transitioning from social gaming and advertising to being a Venture Studio leader. [00:06:16]
• The role of vulnerability in building trust with founding teams and the challenges of advising versus leading a venture. [00:08:01]
• Exploring the difference between technical founders and broader business challenges in early ventures. [00:11:17]
• Challenges faced while working with founding teams, including identifying assumptions and risks. [00:11:56]
• The concept of startups as “risk reduction factories” and how to prioritize risks in venture building. [00:18:45]
• Paul’s “risk-weighted venture building” approach and the importance of running at risks rather than avoiding them. [00:20:16]
• The significance of mission-driven entrepreneurship and aligning teams with a clear vision. [00:24:02]
• Transition from reactive to proactive decision-making and defining priorities in startup leadership. [00:26:19]
• Paul's role as an EIR at the University of Maryland and how it contrasts with his work at a Venture Studio. [00:27:48]
• Insights on the codified methodology of venture building and knowing when to deviate from the playbook. [00:37:15]
• Why the zero-to-one phase of venture building excites Paul more than scaling mature companies. [00:41:42]
• The role of AI in accelerating venture building and the possibility of creating billion-dollar companies with minimal teams. [00:47:24]
• The importance of meditation and mindfulness in entrepreneurship for long-term success. [00:52:10]

Links:

• Paul Capriolo
• Portfolio T
• Terrence Orr
• Ilya Tabakh
• EIR Live

• (00:00) - EIR Live Show Intro
• (01:11) - Co-host Preview
• (04:12) - Paul's Background
• (06:16) - From Gaming to Ventures
• (08:01) - Building Trust & Leadership
• (11:17) - Technical vs. Business Challenges
• (11:56) - Working with Founders
• (18:45) - Startups as Risk Reduction Factories
• (20:16) - Risk-Weighted Ventures
• (24:02) - Mission-Driven Teams
• (26:19) - Reactive vs. Proactive Leadership
• (27:48) - University EIR Role
• (37:15) - Venture Building Playbook
• (41:42) - Zero-to-One Phase
• (47:24) - AI in Venture Building
• (52:10) - Meditation for Success
• (59:13) - EIR Live Show Outro

Episode Description:

In this episode of EIR Live, Ilya Tabakh and Terence Orr engage in a deep conversation with Luis Rincon about his journey from law school to becoming an entrepreneur in residence (EIR) and ultimately founding Acadeum. They discuss the importance of exposure, mentorship, and networking in entrepreneurship, as well as the evolving role of EIRs in the startup ecosystem. Luis shares insights on adaptability, empathy, and the significance of keeping personal burn low while navigating career transitions. The conversation also touches on the impact of AI on innovation and the need for a supportive EIR community to foster growth and collaboration.

Takeaways:

• Work for a startup to gain valuable experience.
• Exposure through mentors can lead to significant opportunities.
• Maintaining a low personal burn is crucial for entrepreneurs.
• Empathy and adaptability are key traits for success.
• The EIR role provides a unique opportunity to launch businesses.
• Networking is essential for accessing resources and support.
• AI is transforming the entrepreneurial landscape.
• Creating a community for EIRs can enhance collaboration.
• Iterative learning is vital in entrepreneurship.
• Unfulfilled potential is a significant frustration in the entrepreneurial journey.

Sound Bites:

• "This is awesome. Like everyone's working their tail off."
• "Exposure leads to you taking the leap."
• "Entrepreneurship is really an apprentice exercise."

Links:

• Luis Rincon on LinkedIn
• Socratic Ventures
• Acadeum
• Terrence Orr on LinkedIn
• Ilya Tabakh on LinkedIn

Episode Description

In this episode of Entrepreneur in Residence (EIR) Live, hosts Terrence Orr and Ilya Tabakh interview Dan Goodman, a seasoned entrepreneur and innovation consultant with over 40 years of experience. Dan shares his extensive journey, highlighting his roles as an Entrepreneur in Residence (EIR) across various institutions, including the University of Maryland, George Mason University, Columbia University, and MIT. The conversation covers Dan's early entrepreneurial ventures, his insights into tech commercialization, and his passion for mentoring climate tech startups. They delve into the evolving role of EIRs, the challenges and opportunities in fostering innovation within large corporations, and the importance of building strong professional relationships. This episode offers valuable lessons on entrepreneurship, innovation, and the impactful role of EIRs in bridging academia and industry.

Key Points from This Episode:

• Dan Goodman’s extensive background and journey as an EIR across multiple institutions.
• The significance of early entrepreneurial exposure and its impact on career trajectory.
• Insights into tech commercialization and the role of EIRs in universities.
• The importance of volunteering and building professional relationships.
• Challenges and strategies for fostering innovation within large corporations.
• The evolving role of EIRs and their impact on economic development.
• The necessity of customer discovery in developing successful products.
• The value of vetting business partners thoroughly.
• Dan’s transition from mentoring startups to investing in climate tech companies.
• The cultural shift in academia towards embracing commercialization.

Links:

• Dan Goodman on LinkedIn
• Sandy Spring Climate Partners
• Terrence Orr on LinkedIn
• Ilya Tabakh on LinkedIn
  
  

• (00:00) - The Journey of Entrepreneurship
• (05:11) - Insights from Dan Goodman
• (06:08) - The Role of EIRs in Innovation
• (20:12) - Challenges in Corporate Innovation
• (30:16) - Lessons from Experience
• (34:36) - Dream EIR Roles and Future Trends
• (41:22) - Current Work in Climate Tech