On engineers as founders of a start-up
I'm an engineer myself, by background and training, so I value logic and organization, and see those as being important tools for anyone, much less the founder of a start-up.BUT...
I've worked in this area before, and have advised young entrepreneurs, and I can see weaknesses that engineers have. Not all engineers, of course, but I have them, and that's why I'm not a founder now myself, much as I might like to be.
- I've never had the breakthrough idea, the "killer app." Something that demonstrates breakthrough thinking. Like many others, I have had ideas that someone else has taken to market, but all that says is that a good idea springs up in multiple places all at once. History already tells us this. Engineers can solve problems, but a founder should have at least one breakthrough.
- I'm a skilled social networker, but I've never been good at seeking out and finding new contacts. I tend to stick myself out there and let them find me. Like raccoons can find peanut butter. LOL I think a founder should be the kind of person who can make contacts appear out of thin air.
- When I worked for a start-up, the founders tended to keep me away from investors, because I would tell the truth. It's not that the founders won't, but their priority among multiple truths is the one that will hopefully draw out financing. I might tell the investors about prototypes we've failed, because failure is cool and teaches us so much; the founders will tell them about the current prototype that works and what it can do for them. If I were an investor, I know which truth I'd rather hear.
And, having said all that, there are exceptions -- exceptional people, that is. Tom Krol of IMET is a great engineer, and a great founder too. One day thousands will see what I see.
posted by Ron @ 11:32 PM
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