Entrepreneurship is no longer just about starting a business. It is about developing the mindset, confidence, and practical skills needed to solve problems, think creatively, lead teams, and adapt to an ever changing world. Today, colleges and employers are looking for students who demonstrate initiative, innovation, and leadership. Whether you dre...
Last week I wrote about starting a novel. I ended that post stuck on a decision: publish the whole thing in the open as I write it, or do the normal thing and wait until it’s finished. I decided to write in the open. That’s my nature. Zero Knowledge now has a home at zeroknowledge.ink. Six chapters are up. More land as I write them. It’s free to re...
I found out this morning that Josh Baer died last night. He was on a small plane heading back to Austin from Cabo. It had mechanical trouble and went down near Laredo, on a highway, a couple of miles short of the runway. Five other people on board survived. Josh did not. He was 50. I’ve been sad all morning. One way I deal with being sad is to hide...
I first wrote about the Rule of 40 in 2015. I’d heard a late-stage investor describe it at a board meeting - growth rate plus profit should add up to at least 40% - and the simplicity stuck with me. So I blogged about it. Fred Wilson was at the same board meeting and posted his own version a few days later. Between the two posts, the Rule of 40 spr...
I’ve written or co-written nine non-fiction books. I have no clue if I can write a novel. Non-fiction is “I know a thing, I researched a thing, and here’s the thing.” You don’t have to make anyone care about people who don’t exist. The characters are real and the lessons are the point. Fiction is something totally different. Nobody owes your made-u...
I’m good friends with Phil Weiser and Michael Bennet. I think the world of both of them. So let me start with the easy part. Colorado is going to be in good hands regardless of who wins the Democratic primary on June 30th. Whoever wins is highly likely to be our next governor, and they’ll be a smart, decent, and hardworking person in the job. I’ve ...
Eric von Hippel was my doctoral advisor at MIT. I didn’t finish the Ph.D. - I dropped out - but Eric stuck with me through all of it, more as a mentor than an academic. Around 1978, Eric said something that was radical at the time. “Innovation comes from users, not manufacturers.” Today that sounds obvious. You read it and think “yeah, uh huh.” In ...
I’m in Aspen. The light stretches the day out and softens the edges of everything. The mountains glow. We just spent a delightful weekend with three of our closest friends. Some hanging out, a few meals (mostly at Clark’s) - and Aspen sushi. The Hunter Smuggler Loop. And talking. Lots of talking. We saw Sheep Detective. It has a 94 on Rotten Tomato...
I read Theo Baker’s How to Rule the World: An Education in Power at Stanford University in the last 24 hours. I was entranced, horrified, and amused, often on the same page. Baker arrived at Stanford as a seventeen-year-old freshman in 2022. By the end of his first year, his reporting in the Stanford Daily had forced the resignation of the universi...
Founding a startup is a cognitive sport. Most founders treat themselves worse than their company treats its infrastructure. Just build things as fast as possible. Don’t worry about what’s going to break until it falls apart. There’s no time. The phrase “tech debt” is a cliché because it is everywhere. “Founder physiological debt” is the same. I’ve ...
In a powerful commencement address at Carnegie Mellon University, Jensen Huang, Founder and CEO of NVIDIA, declared that today’s students are entering “the beginning of the AI revolution.” His message was clear: the future belongs to those who can adapt, innovate, build responsibly, and work alongside AI technologies. This vision aligns closely wit...
May is Mental Health Awareness Month. I’ve been writing about my own depression and mental health on this blog for over a decade. The stigma around founder mental health is still the core problem. 72% of founders say the entrepreneurial journey has negatively affected their mental health. 81% don’t talk about it. James Oliver Jr. is doing something...
Do high school internships help Ivy League admissions? The answer is yes, but only when done strategically. Today, top universities don’t just look for perfect grades. They want students who show initiative, real-world experience, and a clear sense of direction. This is why high school internships for college applications are becoming increasingly ...
When students search for paid internship vs unpaid internship, the discussion often revolves around one factor. Compensation. But for high school students preparing for competitive college admissions and future leadership paths, the better question is this: What kind of internship builds depth, distinction, and direction? The difference is not simp...
Recognizing Youth Leadership & Innovation During PVSA Pause At iStart Valley, we believe that service is not just about hours - it is about impact. For years, iStart Valley has proudly nominated deserving interns and youth leaders for the Presidential Volunteer Service Award (PVSA), administered by AmeriCorps. This prestigious national recognit...
High school internships in the USA are fast becoming one of the most effective ways to gain real-world experience before college. Unlike traditional summer courses, these internships allow students to work on real business problems, collaborate with startups, and develop leadership, innovation, and critical thinking skills that colleges and employe...
Admission to Harvard University and Ivy League schools has become increasingly competitive. Top universities now seek students who demonstrate academic excellence, original research, leadership, and real‑world impact, not just strong test scores. Over the past three consecutive years, students from the iStart Valley internship and STEM programs hav...
Startup Snapshot, a think tank uncovering the unspoken realities of the entrepreneurial ecosystem, has released its latest report, The Untold Toll (Part 2): Navigating Stress, Wellbeing, and Burnout in Startup Teams. The emotional and mental state of startup teams has emerged as one of the most overlooked drivers of company performance. Startup Sna...
Dec 09, 2025 Category Books My partner Seth Levine has an important new book out today titled Capital Evolution: The New American Economy. I saw it last night at the Boulder Bookstore in the New Hardback Non-Fiction section (bottom left in the photo below) and am going to the launch event at Composition Shop in Longmont. Join us, say hello, and buy...
Skip to content Back to Blog Google seems a little confused. It was even confused about my age the other day, but at least it has that right now. It was a little confused on December 1st. I mean, c’mon Google. Use all those chips you have to get it right!
