Home// Founder Questions// Starting a Company Starting a CompanyFounder Questions Filter: All Strategy & Operations 33 Legal 32 Finance & Accounting 1 List Cards Strategy & Operations View all Strategy & Operations audios » Legal View all Legal audios » Play How frequently should I get audits? David Schwed COO at Halborn Crypto/Web3 • Starting a Company Play How should I think about audits vs bounty programs? David Schwed COO at Halborn Crypto/Web3 • Starting a Company Play If I can’t afford an audit, should I still go live with my project? David Schwed COO at Halborn Crypto/Web3 • Starting a Company Play Should I use another distribution method for my token than selling it? Andrew Bull Founding Partner at Bull Blockchain Law Crypto/Web3 • Fundraising Play What should my project avoid doing to get in trouble with the SEC? Andrew Bull Founding Partner at Bull Blockchain Law Crypto/Web3 • Legal Play Is it advantageous to launch a protocol out of a foreign country? Andrew Bull Founding Partner at Bull Blockchain Law Crypto/Web3 • Legal Play What is the Howey test and is it relevant to crypto? Andrew Bull Founding Partner at Bull Blockchain Law Crypto/Web3 • Legal Play Are utility tokens securities? Andrew Bull Founding Partner at Bull Blockchain Law Crypto/Web3 • Legal Play What are the legal implications of decentralization from a team contribution perspective? James Morgan Crypto/Web3 • Legal Play How does the intention and marketing of my product play into legal issues? James Morgan Crypto/Web3 • Legal Play How do I choose what chain to build on? Silvio Micali Founder at Algorand Crypto/Web3 • Starting a Company Play How do I choose what chain to build on? Jeremy Allaire Co-founder and CEO at Circle Crypto/Web3 • Starting a Company Play What does the process of finding a co-founder look like? Deana Burke Co-founder at Boys Club Crypto/Web3 • Leadership Play How do I navigate the emotional side of building a start-up? Natasha Hoskins Co-founder at Boys Club Crypto/Web3 • Starting a Company Play How should I navigate the crypto regulatory environment? David Vorick Crypto/Web3 • Legal Play What advice do you have for people building the decentralized internet in a centralized world? David Vorick Crypto/Web3 • Starting a Company Play What are the pros and cons of building a web3 company in public? David Vorick Crypto/Web3 • Starting a Company Play What is your number one piece of advice for early-stage crypto founders? David Vorick Crypto/Web3 • Starting a Company Play When to DAO and when not to DAO? David Vorick Crypto/Web3 • Starting a Company Play What is your number one piece of advice for early-stage crypto founders? Ghada Almashaqbeh Crypto/Web3 • Starting a Company Play I have a background in web2. What should I expect when transitioning into web3? Derek Yoo CEO at PureStake / Moonbeam Crypto/Web3 • Starting a Company Play What is your number one piece of advice for early-stage crypto founders? Derek Yoo CEO at PureStake / Moonbeam Crypto/Web3 • Starting a Company Play How do you know you’re ready to be a web3 founder? Evin McMullen Co-Founder & CEO at Disco.xyz Crypto/Web3 • Starting a Company Play What is the best way to validate a new web3 idea? Evin McMullen Co-Founder & CEO at Disco.xyz Crypto/Web3 • Engineering Play What is your number one piece of advice for early-stage crypto founders? Evin McMullen Co-Founder & CEO at Disco.xyz Crypto/Web3 • Starting a Company Play How should I protect my intellectual property when talking to investors? Sofia Elizondo Co-founder and COO at Brightseed Biotech • Fundraising Play What is your number one piece of advice for academic founders? Reshma Shetty Co-founder and COO at Ginkgo Bioworks Biotech • Management Play How should I approach bootstrapping a biotech? Reshma Shetty Co-founder and COO at Ginkgo Bioworks Biotech • Fundraising Play Why is operational execution important? Paul Bleicher Founder and CEO at Phase Forward Biotech • Starting a Company Play Why is it important to write a business plan? Paul Bleicher Founder and CEO at Phase Forward Biotech • Starting a Company Play What are the most important steps to get started? Paul Bleicher Founder and CEO at Phase Forward Biotech • Starting a Company Play How should I avoid the piloting problem in healthcare? Paul Bleicher Founder and CEO at Phase Forward Biotech • Product Play How should I avoid the customization problem in healthcare? Paul Bleicher Founder and CEO at Phase Forward Biotech • Product Play How do I make the switch from scientist to startup founder? Nabiha Saklayen Founder and CEO at Cellino Biotech • Management Play Why are you excited to build in sustainability? Jen Keane Co-founder and CEO at Modern Synthesis Biotech • Starting a Company Play What is your number one piece of advice to founder-led biotech founders? Jake Becraft Founder and CEO at Strand Therapeutics Biotech • Leadership Play Who should I choose to be on my scientific advisory board? Emily Leproust CEO at Twist Bioscience Biotech • Advisors & Board of Directors Play How should I find informal advisors? Emily Leproust CEO at Twist Bioscience Biotech • Advisors & Board of Directors Play How should I approach business strategy? Emily Leproust CEO at Twist Bioscience Biotech • Starting a Company Play Who should I choose to be on my board of directors? Emily Leproust CEO at Twist Bioscience Biotech • Advisors & Board of Directors Play Why is the founder-led biotech so important? Celine Halioua Founder and CEO at Loyal Biotech • Leadership Play What are the most common mistakes academic founders make? Celine Halioua Founder and CEO at Loyal Biotech • Leadership Play What is your advice for biotech business development? Alec Nielsen Founder & CEO at Asimov Biotech • Starting a Company Play What should a professor's role be after the company forms? Myron Kassaraba Technology Licensing Officer at MIT TLO Leadership • Starting a Company Play What questions should I be prepared to answer in the university licensing process? Alan Gordon Director of Business Development at Harvard University Tech • Fundraising Play What is your advice for academics who are about to embark on the startup journey? Pam Silver Professor of Systems Biology at Harvard Medical School Starting a Company Play What should a professor's role be after the company forms? Pam Silver Professor of Systems Biology at Harvard Medical School Starting a Company Play How can I create an awesome pitch deck? Andrew Lau CEO at Jellyfish Tech • Fundraising Play When should I engage a startup lawyer? Andrew Lau CEO at Jellyfish Legal • Starting a Company Play Do I need a startup lawyer? Andrew Lau CEO at Jellyfish Legal • Starting a Company Play How can companies thrive in this new normal? Dharmesh Shah CTO at HubSpot Starting a Company Play How can I invest in building and maintaining a healthy relationship with my cofounder? Dharmesh Shah CTO at HubSpot Starting a Company Play What early conversations should I have with my cofounder? Dharmesh Shah CTO at HubSpot Starting a Company Play What is your number one piece of advice for early stage founders? Janet Comenos CEO at Spotted Starting a Company Play How do I know when to quit my day job? Janet Comenos CEO at Spotted Starting a Company Play What is the impact of a peer network on personal development? Maggie Crowley Director of Product Management at Drift Starting a Company Play What is your number one piece of advice for early stage founders? Dharmesh Shah CTO at HubSpot Starting a Company Play Should I optimize for the highest valuation? Jessica Nam Kim CEO at Ianacare Starting a Company Play What questions should I ask a potential co-founder? Jessica Nam Kim CEO at Ianacare Starting a Company Play How can I convince a technical co-founder to join my team? Tony Liu CEO at JobGet Starting a Company Play Do I need to have industry expertise? Tony Liu CEO at JobGet Starting a Company Play What has been the most surprising part of the founder journey? Tony Liu CEO at JobGet Starting a Company Play What is the number one piece of advice you give early stage founders? Julie Marobella EVP, Product at Salsify Starting a Company Play What is your number one piece of advice for early stage founders? Gabriela McManus SVP, People Operations at Drizly Starting a Company Play How can I recognize when people uphold our company values? Gabriela McManus SVP, People Operations at Drizly Starting a Company • Strategy & Operations Play How can companies fall down on setting culture? Gabriela McManus SVP, People Operations at Drizly Leadership • Starting a Company Play When I socialize my idea, how do I determine which parts need to remain confidential? Russ Wilcox Partner at Pillar VC Product • Product & Engineering Play What should I do if I have a great idea, but another startup is already solving the same problem? Russ Wilcox Partner at Pillar VC Starting a Company Play What should I do if there is another startup solving the same problem as me? Jamie Goldstein Partner at Pillar Starting a Company Play What is the number one piece of advice you give early stage founders? Cathy Zhou Fmr. Head of Restaurant Operations at Uber Starting a Company Play What is a platform business? Russ Wilcox Partner at Pillar VC Starting a Company Play What are common pitfalls, if I don't get a lawyer? Steve Cagnetta Founder and Principal at Company Counsel Legal • Starting a Company Play What is a winner take all market? Russ Wilcox Partner at Pillar VC Starting a Company Play How should I go about customer discovery? Basel Fakhoury CEO at User Interviews Starting a Company Play What is the importance of having a good lawyer? Steve Cagnetta Founder and Principal at Company Counsel Legal • Starting a Company Play How can I effectively scale my operations team? Cathy Zhou Fmr. Head of Restaurant Operations at Uber Strategy & Operations Play What are the important traits for an operations leader to possess? Cathy Zhou Fmr. Head of Restaurant Operations at Uber Strategy & Operations Play How do I onboard an operations leader well? Cathy Zhou Fmr. Head of Restaurant Operations at Uber Strategy & Operations Play How can I create a culture around operational excellence? Cathy Zhou Fmr. Head of Restaurant Operations at Uber Starting a Company • Strategy & Operations Play What operational metrics are important to follow? Cathy Zhou Fmr. Head of Restaurant Operations at Uber Strategy & Operations Play When does the messiness go away? Cathy Zhou Fmr. Head of Restaurant Operations at Uber Strategy & Operations Play Do all CEOs need natural sales ability? Brian Halligan CEO at HubSpot Starting a Company Play Does a patent allow me to operate freely? Russ Wilcox Partner at Pillar VC Legal • Starting a Company Play How should I decide on team roles and equity splits? Mary Imevbore CEO at Waeve Starting a Company Play How can I get a start as an entrepreneur? Colin Raney CMO at PillPack Starting a Company Play Where can I find a co-founder with deep expertise? Russ Wilcox Partner at Pillar VC Starting a Company Play What is total addressable market? Russ Wilcox Partner at Pillar VC Starting a Company Play If I build it, will they come? Sarah Hodges Partner at Pillar VC Starting a Company Play How do I know when to kill my idea? Ellen Rubin CEO at ClearSky Data (Acquired by Amazon) Starting a Company Play What things have you tried that didn't work out? Basel Fakhoury CEO at User Interviews Starting a Company Play How do I come up with a business design? Colin Raney CMO at PillPack Starting a Company Play What is your number one piece of advice for early stage founders? Helen Adeosun CEO at CareAcademy Starting a Company Play What is your number one piece of advice for early stage founders? Brian Balfour CEO at Reforge Starting a Company Play How do I figure out if my idea has legs? Brian Balfour CEO at Reforge Product • Product & Engineering Play What is the number one piece of advice you give early stage founders? Christina Luconi Chief People Officer at Rapid7 Starting a Company Play Why is it important for company leaders to be accessible? Christina Luconi Chief People Officer at Rapid7 Leadership • Management Play How can I create a strong culture from Day 1? Christina Luconi Chief People Officer at Rapid7 Starting a Company Play Part 2: How do I create a culture? TJ Parker CEO at PillPack Strategy & Operations Play Part 2: How do I know when it's not working? Basel Fakhoury CEO at User Interviews Starting a Company Play Part 3: How do I find a great idea? Basel Fakhoury CEO at User Interviews Starting a Company Play What is remote inclusion? Katie Burke Chief People Officer at HubSpot Starting a Company Play How much do I have to love the problem I'm working on? Ellen Rubin CEO at ClearSky Data (Acquired by Amazon) Starting a Company Play How do you convince a technical team they need a CEO? Gail Goodman Fmr. CEO at Constant Contact Starting a Company Play How do I know when to bring on a technical co-founder? Ellen Rubin CEO at ClearSky Data (Acquired by Amazon) Starting a Company Play How do co-founder swim lanes change over time? TJ Parker CEO at PillPack Starting a Company Play How do I validate my idea? Ellen Rubin CEO at ClearSky Data (Acquired by Amazon) Starting a Company Play How do I size a potential market? Veronica Armstrong CEO at Isle de Nature Starting a Company Play How do I win my first customer? Ellen Rubin CEO at ClearSky Data (Acquired by Amazon) Starting a Company Play How long will it take for me to know if my strategy is working? Cara Shortsleeve CEO at The Leadership Consortium Strategy & Operations Play Part 1: How do I create a culture? Corey Thomas CEO at Rapid7 Diversity, Inclusion & Belonging • Leadership Play How can I prepare my engineering team to work remotely? Basel Fakhoury CEO at User Interviews Starting a Company Play When building a remote company, how do I handle international time zones? Basel Fakhoury CEO at User Interviews Starting a Company Play What is the importance of sharing the same vision? TJ Parker CEO at PillPack Strategy & Operations Play How can I make remote employees feel like they belong? Basel Fakhoury CEO at User Interviews Starting a Company Play What is your number one piece of advice for early stage founders? Patrick Campbell CEO at ProfitWell Starting a Company Play What is your number one piece of advice for early stage founders? David Cancel CEO at Drift Starting a Company Play Part 2: Should I start a company with my significant other? Chad Laurans Fmr CEO at SimpliSafe Starting a Company Play What is the number one piece of advice you give early stage founders? Chad Laurans Fmr CEO at SimpliSafe Starting a Company Play Part 2: Should I bootstrap my company? Chad Laurans Fmr CEO at SimpliSafe Tech • Fundraising Play What is your number one piece of advice for early stage founders? Brian Halligan CEO at HubSpot Starting a Company Play How did you know your co-founder was the one? Brian Halligan CEO at HubSpot Starting a Company Play What do I do if my co-founder and I don't agree? Brian Halligan CEO at HubSpot Starting a Company Play Part 3: How do I find a co-founder? Brian Halligan CEO at HubSpot Starting a Company Play What is the number one piece of advice you have for early stage founders? Leslie Forde Founder at Mom’s Hierarchy of Needs Starting a Company Play How do I know when to go full time on my company? Leslie Forde Founder at Mom’s Hierarchy of Needs Starting a Company Play How do I decide what to charge for my product? Patrick Campbell CEO at ProfitWell Starting a Company Play Part 1: Should I bootstrap my company? Patrick Campbell CEO at ProfitWell Tech • Fundraising Play How do I identify a target customer? Veronica Armstrong CEO at Isle de Nature Starting a Company Play How do I know customers will buy my product? Veronica Armstrong CEO at Isle de Nature Starting a Company Play How do I know we've reached product-market fit? Basel Fakhoury CEO at User Interviews Growth • Product Play How can I build a remote company? Basel Fakhoury CEO at User Interviews Starting a Company Play How do we fairly divide our equity? Steve Cagnetta Founder and Principal at Company Counsel Legal • Starting a Company Play What is the biggest piece of advice you have for early stage founders? Steve Cagnetta Founder and Principal at Company Counsel Legal • Starting a Company Play Are the founders personally liable for paying the full legal bill if they don't close a funding round? Steve Cagnetta Founder and Principal at Company Counsel Legal • Starting a Company Play What type of corporation should I form? Steve Cagnetta Founder and Principal at Company Counsel Legal • Starting a Company Play How should I legally structure my startup? Steve Cagnetta Founder and Principal at Company Counsel Legal • Starting a Company Play When should I engage a lawyer? Steve Cagnetta Founder and Principal at Company Counsel Legal • Starting a Company Play How should I choose a startup lawyer? Steve Cagnetta Founder and Principal at Company Counsel Legal • Starting a Company Play Do I need a lawyer? Steve Cagnetta Founder and Principal at Company Counsel Legal • Starting a Company Play Part 4: How do I find a co-founder? Ellen Rubin CEO at ClearSky Data (Acquired by Amazon) Starting a Company Play What is your number one piece of advice for early stage founders? Ellen Rubin CEO at ClearSky Data (Acquired by Amazon) Starting a Company Play Part 2: How do I find a co-founder? Mary Imevbore CEO at Waeve Starting a Company Play Part 2: How do I find a great idea? Mary Imevbore CEO at Waeve Starting a Company Play Part 1: How do I decide on co-founder roles and responsibilities? TJ Parker CEO at PillPack Starting a Company Play Part 1: When should I hire a COO? Amy Villeneuve Fmr. COO and President at Amazon Robotics Benefits • Hiring Play How do I know I've created the right strategy for my business? Cara Shortsleeve CEO at The Leadership Consortium Strategy & Operations Play How do I know I'm ready to be a CEO? Emily Green Independent Board Director & Advisor Coaches & Leadership Training • Leadership Play How do I attract an experienced operator to my startup? Yvonne Hao Fmr. COO / CFO at PillPack Benefits • Hiring Play What tips do you have for founders with little financial experience? Yvonne Hao Fmr. COO / CFO at PillPack Tech • Budgeting & Planning Play How do I create a strategic plan? Yvonne Hao Fmr. COO / CFO at PillPack Strategy & Operations Play When should the COO / CFO role be linked? Yvonne Hao Fmr. COO / CFO at PillPack Tech • Budgeting & Planning Play Where can I find benchmarks for company metrics? Yvonne Hao Fmr. COO / CFO at PillPack Strategy & Operations Play What metrics should I look for in my consumer business? Yvonne Hao Fmr. COO / CFO at PillPack Strategy & Operations Play How do I reach my first 1000 users? Colin Raney CMO at PillPack Marketing & Events • Starting a Company Play How do I navigate a university spinout? Jamie Goldstein Partner at Pillar Starting a Company Play What do I do if I no longer want to run my company? Jamie Goldstein Partner at Pillar Starting a Company Play Part 2: What should I consider when starting a company with a professor? Jamie Goldstein Partner at Pillar Starting a Company Play When should I start to think about my company's mission, vision, & values? Sarah Hodges Partner at Pillar VC Starting a Company • Strategy & Operations Play How should I think about developing my company's mission, vision, and values? Sarah Hodges Partner at Pillar VC Starting a Company • Strategy & Operations Play Should I start a company with a friend? Jason Robins CEO at Draft Kings Starting a Company Play What is your number one piece of advice for early stage founders? Gail Goodman Fmr. CEO at Constant Contact Starting a Company Play Part 2: Should I stay in the CEO role? Corey Thomas CEO at Rapid7 Coaches & Leadership Training • Leadership Play Part 3: What is the role of a CEO? Corey Thomas CEO at Rapid7 Coaches & Leadership Training • Leadership Play Part 2: What do I talk to a CEO coach about? Corey Thomas CEO at Rapid7 Coaches & Leadership Training • Leadership Play Part 1: Should I stay in the CEO role? Cara Shortsleeve CEO at The Leadership Consortium Coaches & Leadership Training • Leadership Play Part 2: What is the role of a CEO? Cara Shortsleeve CEO at The Leadership Consortium Coaches & Leadership Training • Leadership Play What is your number one piece of advice for early stage founders? Cara Shortsleeve CEO at The Leadership Consortium Starting a Company Play How do I know VCs will like my idea? Steve Conine Co-Founder at Wayfair Tech • Fundraising Play Part 1: How do I find a great idea? Steve Conine Co-Founder at Wayfair Starting a Company Play How do I know if my idea is any good? Steve Conine Co-Founder at Wayfair Starting a Company Play How can I learn to grow with my business? Steve Conine Co-Founder at Wayfair Starting a Company Play Should I include a clause about who has "final say" in my co-founder agreement? Steve Conine Co-Founder at Wayfair Leadership • Starting a Company Play Part 1: How much should I aim to raise in my seed round? Russ Wilcox Partner at Pillar VC Tech • Fundraising Play Part 1: How do I know when it's not working? Dave Balter CEO at Flipside Crypto Starting a Company • Strategy & Operations Play Part 1: What is the role of a CEO? Chris Savage CEO at Wistia Coaches & Leadership Training • Leadership Play How do I know my idea is right for VC funding? Parker McKee Principal at Pillar Tech • Fundraising Play How long does it take to get a patent? Russ Wilcox Partner at Pillar VC Legal • Starting a Company Play How much does it cost to get a patent? Russ Wilcox Partner at Pillar VC Legal • Starting a Company Play What is the success rate for getting patents? Russ Wilcox Partner at Pillar VC Legal • Starting a Company Play How many patents do I need? Russ Wilcox Partner at Pillar VC Legal • Starting a Company Play How many startups get patents? Russ Wilcox Partner at Pillar VC Legal • Starting a Company Play Will patents completely protect me from competitors? Russ Wilcox Partner at Pillar VC Legal • Starting a Company Play If I can't patent my technology, will it still be attractive to VCs? Russ Wilcox Partner at Pillar VC Legal • Starting a Company Play Do I need a patent? Russ Wilcox Partner at Pillar VC Legal • Starting a Company Play Is my tech defensible? Does it matter? Russ Wilcox Partner at Pillar VC Legal • Starting a Company Play At what point should I sign a founders agreement with my co-founder? Russ Wilcox Partner at Pillar VC Starting a Company Play How much equity should I give a potential co-founder who is part time until I raise a round? Russ Wilcox Partner at Pillar VC Starting a Company Play How much equity should I give my professor? Russ Wilcox Partner at Pillar VC Starting a Company Play How do we fairly divide our equity? Russ Wilcox Partner at Pillar VC Starting a Company Play How many co-founders should I have? Russ Wilcox Partner at Pillar VC Starting a Company Play Part 1: How do I know my co-founder is the one? Dave Balter CEO at Flipside Crypto Starting a Company Play Part 2: How do I know my co-founder is the one? Steve Conine Co-Founder at Wayfair Starting a Company Play Part 2: Which early conversations should I have with my co-founder? Steve Conine Co-Founder at Wayfair Starting a Company Play My relationship with my co-founder isn't working out, what should I do? Dave Balter CEO at Flipside Crypto Starting a Company Play Should I split equity 50-50 with my co-founder? Dave Balter CEO at Flipside Crypto Starting a Company Play How do I handle tough conversations with my co-founder? Steve Kokinos CEO at Algorand Starting a Company Play Part 2: How do I decide on co-founder roles and responsibilities? Dave Balter CEO at Flipside Crypto Starting a Company Play Part 1: What should I consider when starting a company with a professor? Cara Shortsleeve CEO at The Leadership Consortium Starting a Company Play Part 1: Which early conversations should I have with my co-founder? Steve Kokinos CEO at Algorand Starting a Company Play Part 1: How do I find a co-founder? Steve Conine Co-Founder at Wayfair Starting a Company Play Do I need a co-founder? Dave Balter CEO at Flipside Crypto Starting a Company Strategy & Operations View all Strategy & Operations audios » Play How frequently should I get audits? David Schwed COO at Halborn Crypto/Web3 • Starting a Company Play How should I think about audits vs bounty programs? David Schwed COO at Halborn Crypto/Web3 • Starting a Company Play If I can’t afford an audit, should I still go live with my project? David Schwed COO at Halborn Crypto/Web3 • Starting a Company Play Why is operational execution important? Paul Bleicher Founder and CEO at Phase Forward Biotech • Starting a Company Play Why is it important to write a business plan? Paul Bleicher Founder and CEO at Phase Forward Biotech • Starting a Company Play How should I avoid the piloting problem in healthcare? Paul Bleicher Founder and CEO at Phase Forward Biotech • Product Play How should I avoid the customization problem in healthcare? Paul Bleicher Founder and CEO at Phase Forward Biotech • Product + 26 more View all Strategy & Operations Answers to Founder Questions » Legal View all Legal audios » Play Should I use another distribution method for my token than selling it? Andrew Bull Founding Partner at Bull Blockchain Law Crypto/Web3 • Fundraising Play What should my project avoid doing to get in trouble with the SEC? Andrew Bull Founding Partner at Bull Blockchain Law Crypto/Web3 • Legal Play Is it advantageous to launch a protocol out of a foreign country? Andrew Bull Founding Partner at Bull Blockchain Law Crypto/Web3 • Legal Play What is the Howey test and is it relevant to crypto? Andrew Bull Founding Partner at Bull Blockchain Law Crypto/Web3 • Legal Play Are utility tokens securities? Andrew Bull Founding Partner at Bull Blockchain Law Crypto/Web3 • Legal Play What are the legal implications of decentralization from a team contribution perspective? James Morgan Crypto/Web3 • Legal Play How does the intention and marketing of my product play into legal issues? James Morgan Crypto/Web3 • Legal + 25 more View all Legal Answers to Founder Questions » Finance & Accounting View all Finance & Accounting audios » Play What tips do you have for founders with little financial experience? Yvonne Hao Fmr. COO / CFO at PillPack Tech • Budgeting & Planning
