Episode 3: Featuring David Brown, Founder of Techstars

This episode of Net Effects Podcast with hosts Les Ottolenghi and Mark Bavissoto features an interview with lifelong entrepreneur David Brown. David leads his groundbreaking accelerator, Techstars, with the mission that “entrepreneurs can change the world.” In this episode, our guest gives crucial advice for entrepreneurs and dives into how the “Give first”-mentality can empower organizations with a conscious approach to participating in the entrepreneurial ecosystem.

Episode highlights:

  • When it comes to goals or striking forth on launching an entrepreneurial venture, David advises, “Once you have a destination in mind, you should work hard to take the necessary steps to reach that destination.”
  • In this podcast with David Brown, he emphasizes that a “Give first” social good philosophy is the notion that life doesn’t have to be transactional; it is ok to be serendipitous with returns being undefined and occurring in the future.
  • Organizations that embrace “Give first” advice for entrepreneurs and have a conscious approach with positive social impact are proven to do better financially and in recruiting top talent.
  • How to be startup-friendly: Communities must have mentors, investment members (or an angel community), and partnerships with educational institutions and local corporate organizations.
  • Read David’s book “No Vision All Drive”: Turn a seed idea into reality, and Insight on how to build a successful startup.
  • Essential quality around personal transformation that entrepreneurs need to experience and embrace: Get out of (your) echo chamber and become more well-rounded.

Whether you are a leader of a startup or a corporation, this podcast episode with David Brown offers valuable perspective and anecdotal advice for entrepreneurs on social impact and digital transformation business models. Listen to the full episode now.

Follow David Brown on Twitter

About David Brown and Techstars: David has a 30-year career starting and building sustainable companies, including Pinpoint Technologies and Techstars (with David Cohen, Brad Feld, and Jared Polis). He frequently writes on all aspects of entrepreneurship and scaling up businesses for sustainable profitability from the vantage point of a founder, an investor, and the founder of Techstars.


Techstars worldwide network helps entrepreneurs succeed. Founded in 2006, Techstars began with three simple ideas—entrepreneurs create a better future for everyone, collaboration drives innovation, and great ideas can come from anywhere. Now Techstars is on a mission to enable every person on the planet to contribute to, and benefit from, the success of entrepreneurs. In addition to operating accelerator programs and venture capital funds, Techstars does this by connecting startups, investors, corporations, and cities to help build thriving startup communities. Techstars has invested in more than 2,200 companies that today have a combined market cap valuation of $29 Billion. (For more information, go to www.techstars.com)