gdp's Comments

Disruptive Thoughts : The Importance of Hope (or, Barack Obama on Entrepreneurship)

Sun, 2 Mar 2008 19:25:41 +0000

I'm proud to be Canadian. I wear my love for Hamilton on my sleeve. I'm thrilled with the changes that are occurring in the city, the province, and the country that will create real impact on entrepreneurship for years to come.

That's future tense though. We're not there yet. But we're on the right path.

Growing a company with $20M revenue is tough. Growing from $20 - $100 is even more difficult. But the hardest is to continue to grow beyond $100M / year in revenue. It will be interesting to watch Sandvine over the coming year - they're at a difficult junction for any company.

And a junction, that unfortunately, Canadian companies have never been good at transcending.

For all it's entrepreneurial spirit Waterloo has not matched the output of other areas. Again, I believe this will change thanks to the foundation and support networks that many have built in the region.

Disruptive Thoughts : The Importance of Hope (or, Barack Obama on Entrepreneurship)

Sun, 2 Mar 2008 18:13:15 +0000

Hi McLarty, thanks for stopping by and commenting. Always great to have a fellow Canadian entrepreneur share some thoughts.

I think it's easy to stereotype the entrepreneurial spirit that exists between the two countries. In fact, the difference between the stereotypes is a pressing issue. One that's regularly discussed in parliament, covered in the press, and articulated at start-up conferences throughout the country.

I am very familiar with Waterloo - I was born and raised in Hamilton and worked for a early-stage investment firm in the Golden Horseshoe area before making the move to NYC. We worked with a number of entities in the K-W region and they're building a wonderful start-up community.

Certainly UW, Communitech and other organizations are providing terrific support to the ecosystem within the region. And you definitely reference the major start-up success story (RIM) and there are other (less successful stories), such as Open Text, that exist.

But isn't it saying something when there's a single success story that we can reference? I think that's telling.

Disruptive Thoughts : The Importance of Hope (or, Barack Obama on Entrepreneurship)

Sun, 2 Mar 2008 17:50:43 +0000

DK, don't you think that Dr. Barber's findings reinforce the thought that Canadian entrepreneurs adjust their hopes and dreams based on the realities faced in Canada?

Surely their unconstrained aspirations are to build companies beyond $300M / year or to build a growth business that isn't purchased by a US firm.

Disruptive Thoughts : The Importance of Hope (or, Barack Obama on Entrepreneurship)

Sun, 2 Mar 2008 08:38:33 +0000

@Ken, thanks for clearing up a few things for Interested Observer.

The Stockdale Paradox is all about maintaining faith that you'll ultimately succeed while remaining grounded in the facts/reality.

For Canadian entrepreneurs the biggest fact/reality (that is: constraint) is that the start-up ecosystem in Canada can only support certain types and sizes of start-ups. Great Canadian entrepreneurs realize this and dream accordingly.

This is why I make the differentiation between entrepreneurship and entrepreneurs. Entrepreneurs in both countries are equally talented. The US system simply allows for (supports? enables?) grander entrepreneurship and thus the unbalance.

Disruptive Thoughts : The Importance of Hope (or, Barack Obama on Entrepreneurship)

Sun, 2 Mar 2008 08:29:37 +0000

Thanks for reading through the post a few times. I think you should read through it a few more though.

Disruptive Thoughts : Incentives

Sat, 1 Mar 2008 19:32:19 +0000

AH! Finally you post. Welcome to the conversation (but sorry to hear you're sick). It's sort of the opposite, but not really. A negative incentive still exists in that if I don't write I have to pay moola. I can tell you that while I like Kiva I'd prefer to not be forking over moola on a weekly basis.

You're down for a month? Elective?

Disruptive Thoughts : Incentives

Sun, 17 Feb 2008 16:47:10 +0000

You just highlighted the fun we all had been missing. It's the web equivalent of the dunk tank.

Disruptive Thoughts : Links of the Moment

Thu, 31 Jan 2008 09:27:38 +0000

What if the truth doesn't even lie in the middle but is some blended combination of the two? I don't know what I think about this - haven't thought it through fully, but think about Gladwell's influencers, Watts' societal readiness, and Rogers' classic adoption curve. Doesn't it feel like there's something linking the three together?

David G Cohen : The secret is out. Damn.

Wed, 30 Jan 2008 22:20:51 +0000

^ that comment made me laugh even harder than the video

Disruptive Thoughts : NYC

Mon, 7 Jan 2008 05:02:44 +0000

@Darren , Tim: definitely. I'll send you guys emails and we can figure something out.

Disruptive Thoughts : NYC

Mon, 7 Jan 2008 04:57:09 +0000

hey rafi, when are we grabbing a beer? I want to tap into the live music scene and I figure you're as good as anyone to help make introductions.

I'm here for a while. a year? two? three? we'll see how this adventure plays out.

Disruptive Thoughts : Themes for 2008

Fri, 4 Jan 2008 08:45:35 +0000

what do you mean by the ps? Looks like there may be a formatting issue with your setup and the comments? let me know and I'll pass along the info the Josh from Intense Debate.

Disruptive Thoughts : Four Observations After Four Weeks At An Internet Start-up

Thu, 15 Nov 2007 13:12:48 +0000

It's not a sexy location ;)

Feld Thoughts : The Evolution of ClosedPrivate

Thu, 15 Nov 2007 13:05:54 +0000

Aaron: it already has. You just don't know it.

Intense Web Media : My Hot Yoga Experience

Wed, 14 Nov 2007 07:20:09 +0000

Did you at the very least sweat up a storm? I've heard about it but have never committed to going out of fear of passing gas in front of sweaty hot women.

Disruptive Thoughts : Thoughts on Boulder's Tech Scene

Tue, 13 Nov 2007 07:55:14 +0000

Don't drop that joke on me - I was making a joke about how hilarious it would be to make that joke on stage. Never did I think someone would actually have an opportunity to perform it on stage, let alone go through with it!

Disruptive Thoughts : Thoughts on Boulder's Tech Scene

Tue, 13 Nov 2007 07:42:38 +0000

Many months reading + following helped build an understanding of what's happening there.

A few quick days helped bring perspective and first hand experience.

Some reflection has solidified my thoughts... Boulder's a great place for a tech start-up!

Disruptive Thoughts : Jay Z - VH1's Storytellers

Tue, 13 Nov 2007 07:11:17 +0000

Nope, this was taken in South Carolina... my mybloglog pic looked odd when I dropped it into ID, somewhat stretched. Just an issue with the dimension of my pic.

Colorado Startups : Denvers Photobucket Is A Red Hot Destination

Mon, 12 Nov 2007 17:44:07 +0000

David, I was happy we had a chance to connect if even for a short bit at Defrag... nice to meet up outside of Colorado Startups / Disruptive Thoughts space.

Disruptive Thoughts : Jay Z - VH1's Storytellers

Mon, 12 Nov 2007 17:08:11 +0000

Testing the new comment system. Looks pretty good, let me know if you like/hate/mildly enjoy this bad boy...