Keepin' It Real at TechStars

“Let’s Be Honest” The Founders | TechStars Boulder | Episode 4 from TechStars on Vimeo.

Most of you know I am a mentor at TechStars Boulder. I’ve talked about it before. Expect I’ll talk about it again, and again, and again. The reason — it’s an amazing program and because it gives me an energy boost every time I’m in the bunker.

The reason it gives my such an energy boost is how opposite the traditional world of business it is. Start-ups have a positive, can do, let’s make it happen, we are going to change the world attitude that is completely contagious and energizing. Although it’s there, fear is rarely an influencer. I wish this could be said about the corporate world.

I mentor a few of this years companies, however much of my mentoring time is spent with 3 specific companies. I will share more about them in a future post. These guys are building on some great ideas and I’m excited and honored to be a part of their journey.

Although it’s a start-up environment, it is far from a wild west, unstructured, place. There is a culture of execution that many, well established companies could learn from.

One of the things I really love is what they call “intellectual honesty.” Intellectual honesty is being true to what your customers and the data is saying. It’s not letting your passion or tunnel vision cloud your perspective. I love this practice. It’s all about keeping it real.

I’ve started and failed at startups two times. Keepin’ it real is absolutely key. It is too easy to fall in love with your idea and miss what the data is telling you. Passion is great, but if you’re not careful, it can get you.

Check out the video, it’s one episode in an on going series highlighting this years class and talking about intellectual honesty.

Caution, watching this video may make you want to start-your own company. If so, make sure you submit to be part of TechStars class of 2011.