What will it take to elevate entrepreneurship in Seattle, Portland, and Vancouver BC? The pieces are in place, the resources are there, and the activity is hot, however, what can we do to take it ot the next level? The ideas are there, the people are there, I think it comes down to a lack of capital and correspondingly the lack of a deep bench of upper level talent.
What is the best way to address these issues? What level of capital is needed for a startup? $20k, $50k, $100k? How do you assemble the right advisory group? What are the key experiences that they need to have?
About nathan kaiser
Nathan,
Good points, and good to see the site is filling up with new content and that your events are going well. On this topic, here are some thoughts. One: Capital availability is definitely a concern, especially in the Pac NW. We simply dont have the infusion of VC and Angel Capital firms locally that are snooping around for the next big thing. Thats not to say we dont have any, just not in the abundance of say, SF. The creative class is here, its established, and it continues to grow. At least in Portland anyway, I cant speak for BC or SEA. Problem is, the creative folks arent always the savviest business folks, so its hard for them to connect properly to the capital side. Its also a question of networking with the right people who know the right people, and being ultra prepared to pitch your “next big thing” when the time happens. That takes alot more than a good idea, it takes balls, from a sales standpoint… and it also takes fundamental business knowledge… the deal has to be good for capital folks to listen. To clarify, you have to have your business model down and be ready for flexibility, above all you have to bleed the belief that what you’re up to can make the cash. They dont call them “vulture capitalists” on the street for nothing.