Entrepreneurial Thought Leaders Video Series

Latest Episodes:

Akshay Kothari and Ankit Gupta (Pulse) - What You Learn by Doing Apr 24, 2013

Show notes

Pulse Co-Founders Akshay Kothari and Ankit Gupta were curious Stanford graduate students always interested in taking on side projects to learn something new. In this light-hearted and insightful lecture, Kothari and Gupta discuss their experiences integrating what they learned into developing an elegant product, which eventually led to their startup's acquisition by LinkedIn.

Monica Lam (Stanford University) - Mobile Can Disrupt Social Apr 17, 2013

Show notes

MobiSocial Founder and Stanford Computer Science Professor Monica Lam offers a compelling case for why mobile can disrupt the social space to create genuine and frictionless experiences. Lam discusses the importance of cross-platform capability and the high potential for open, non-proprietary systems for communication.

Nassim Taleb (Author) - How Things Gain from Disorder Apr 10, 2013

Show notes

Based on his continuing exploration of the decision making process under opaque circumstances, Nassim Taleb, author of The Black Swan and Antifragile: Things That Gain from Disorder, shares how the benefits of random conditions can be successfully harvested to help navigate a world we do not fully understand.

Tim O'Reilly (O'Reilly Media) - Create More Value Than You Capture Mar 06, 2013

Show notes

Sharing inspirations from both innovative companies and works of art, entrepreneur and technology sage Tim O'Reilly weaves together a series of thoughtful lessons for startups. From rethinking workflows and experiences to the valuable role of idealism in business, O'Reilly makes the case for entrepreneurs to work on the hard problems that matter.

Dan Berkenstock, Julian Mann, John Fenwick, and Ching-Yu Hu (Skybox Imaging) - Launching into Uncharted Space Feb 27, 2013

Show notes

The co-founders of Skybox Imaging, Dan Berkenstock, Julian Mann, John Fenwick and Ching-Yu Hu, realized early on they had one thing in common: they don't take no for an answer. Here the team of Stanford alumni explain their passion to disrupt the satellite imaging industry and share engaging tales of launching their unique venture.

Stephen Cohen (Palantir) - The Path to Palantir Feb 20, 2013

Show notes

Stephen Cohen reflects on his journey from Stanford computer science student to co-founding and building Palantir Technologies. Cohen extolls the joys of hacking projects in school, shares thoughts on the future relationship between man and machine, and shares stories from the colorful early history of Palantir.

Cindy Padnos (Illuminate Ventures) - An Enterprising Approach to Investment Feb 13, 2013

Show notes

Illuminate Ventures Founder Cindy Padnos talks candidly with Stanford Consulting Professor Tom Kosnik about the value of leveraging advisor relationships, the sometimes surprising responsibilities of a CEO, and the fundamental differences between the roles of entrepreneur and venture capitalist.

Tim Draper (Draper Fisher Jurvetson) - Calling All Entrepreneurial Heroes Feb 06, 2013

Show notes

In this lively presentation, Tim Draper, managing director of Draper Fisher Jurvetson, shares his global experiences funding entrepreneurial heroes who "break down walls." Draper shares attributes that support viable entrepreneurial environments, and encourages aspiring entrepreneurs to attack established monopolies and to never fear making mistakes.

John Lilly (Greylock Partners) - White Space is Everywhere Jan 30, 2013

Show notes

Entrepreneur and investor John Lilly makes a sound pitch for why this moment in time is full of promise for passionate entrepreneurs willing to charge into the current white space of opportunity. Lilly also explains the idiosyncratic nature of investors and the goal of creating large, durable companies with the capacity to change the world.

Steven McCormick (Moore Foundation) - Drive Change Through Entrepreneurship Jan 23, 2013

Show notes

Steven McCormick, president of the Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation, discusses the value and continued need of an entrepreneurial approach in the philanthropic sector. McCormick also shares lessons learned on staying obsessively focused on outcomes, the critical need to measure success, and how to create change by being a 'positive deviant' inside organizations.