Entrepreneurial Thought Leaders Video Series

Latest Episodes:

Hank Wuh (Skai Ventures) - Disruptive Innovation Can Happen Anywhere Jan 16, 2013

Show notes

Surgeon, inventor and entrepreneur Dr. Hank Wuh shares examples of how his firm, Skai Ventures, based in Hawaii, takes a hands-on approach to launching high-growth businesses. Wuh explores the challenges of identifying disruptive innovations that are commercially viable and building profitable companies that aim to do good in the world.

Sue Siegel (GE) - A Healthy Respect for Innovation Nov 28, 2012

Show notes

Sue Siegel, CEO of GE's healthymagination unit, offers sound advice from her experiences commercializing new technologies and innovations in the fields of biomedicine and healthcare. Siegel also explains how innovation is created in organizations of all sizes, how values impact the quality of team performance, and ways for evaluating career decisions.

Melinda Gates (Gates Foundation) - Pursue Passions with a Vengeance Nov 14, 2012

Show notes

Through stories of creating meaningful impact around the world, Melinda Gates explains how the Gates Foundation seeks to solve global challenges through innovation in the areas of health and education. Gates also shares life experiences and insights gained on working with others, pursuing life passions, and being committed to volunteerism.

Jess Lee (Polyvore) - Path and Purpose of a First-TIme CEO Nov 07, 2012

Show notes

In this insightful conversation with investor Peter Fenton of Benchmark Capital, Polyvore CEO and co-founder Jess Lee talks about her personal and professional transition from working at a large organization to a becoming an entrepreneurial, first-time CEO. Fenton and Lee also examine the priorities of the CEO role, founder and investor relations, and creating the right team to build the product.

Noam Wasserman (Harvard Business School) - The Founder's Dilemmas Oct 31, 2012

Show notes

Drawing on a decade of research and interviews with company founders, Harvard Business School Associate Professor Noam Wasserman explores many of the momentous early decisions and pitfalls faced by entrepreneurs and investors. Wasserman outlines paths and options for founders, with an emphasis on the frequently challenging people issues that can inhibit startup success.

Steve Garrity (Hearsay Social), Roelof Botha (Sequoia Capital), Kit Rodgers (Cryptography Research), Divya Nag (Stem Cell Theranostics) - Impact: Stanford Entrepreneurship and Innovation Oct 24, 2012

Show notes

This special presentation features a panel of Stanford alumni reflecting on their personal entrepreneurial experiences at Stanford and in the vibrant Silicon Valley ecosystem. This conversation follows a presentation of remarkable results from the Stanford Innovation Survey, measuring the economic impact of Stanford alumni engaged in entrepreneurial activity.

Geoff Yang (Redpoint Ventures) - Timing Matters Oct 17, 2012

Show notes

Venture capitalist Geoff Yang challenges entrepreneurs to "think huge" and to complete the due diligence necessary to understand markets they plan to enter. Yang dispels myths about relationships between founders and investors and encourages new entrepreneurs to be thoughtful about taking on outside capital and engaging venture capitalists.

Olivia Fox Cabane (Author and Speaker) - Build Your Personal Charisma Oct 10, 2012

Show notes

Debunking charisma as being purely innate or magical, Olivia Fox Cabane reveals how specific behaviors of presence, power and warmth can help individuals to develop their personal charisma. The author of The Charisma Myth also shares anecdotes and research that illustrate how elements of charisma are learned, interpreted and impact relationships.

Drew Houston (Dropbox) - Finding Your Way as an Entrepreneur May 30, 2012

Show notes

Co-Founder Drew Houston shares personal moments from starting the cloud-based file storage service Dropbox. Houston touches on the importance of persevering through early challenges at a startup, selecting the right co-founder, and focusing on solving problems to maximize customer happiness.

Adam Lashinsky (Author) - Secrets at Apple's Core May 23, 2012

Show notes

Adam Lashinsky, Fortune senior editor-at-large, shares an insider look at Apple, one of the world's most iconic and secretive companies. Based on his research into the technology giant's internal processes and approaches to leadership and building products, Lashinsky offers insights and surprises from his book, Inside Apple: How America's Most Admired--and Secretive--Company Really Works.