Saurabh Sharma’s Post

"From Academia to Entrepreneurship: A Journey of Innovation and Leadership" 📅 Date: 12.09.2024 📍 Location: CFE, Admin Block, 5th floor 🕒 Time: 1:45 PM - 2:45 PM Pre-register now! - https://lnkd.in/gRcUne3e Embark on an enlightening journey with Professor Sudheendra Hangal, a pioneering entrepreneur and distinguished academic, as he shares his remarkable transition from the world of academia to the dynamic realm of startups with his company, Amuse Labs. In this engaging session, Professor Hangal will explore: * The challenges and triumphs of building and scaling a startup *How academic insights can be leveraged in the business world *Strategies for balancing dual roles as a startup founder and academic leader *Key lessons on innovation, leadership, and navigating the evolving tech landscape *Practical advice for aspiring entrepreneurs on team-building and securing funding This talk is a must-attend for STEM students and anyone intrigued by the intersection of technology, research, and business. Gain inspiration and valuable knowledge from Professor Hangal's experiences and be motivated to explore the exciting possibilities of entrepreneurship. Don’t miss out on this opportunity to connect with a visionary leader and learn from his unique journey! #entrepreneurship #science #deeptech #studentlife

🌟 Why Do Founders Flock to Certain Universities? 🌟 Take a look at the latest 2024 Startup Rankings from PitchBook, and one thing becomes clear: UC BERKELEY isn’t just producing students—it’s producing founders, leaders, and world-changing companies! 🚀 With 1,811 founders and 1,642 companies, University of California, Berkeley leads the charge. It's followed closely by Stanford University , Harvard University , and Massachusetts Institute of Technology, institutions that have long been the breeding grounds for innovation and entrepreneurship. But here's the question: What makes these universities such fertile ground for startups? 🤔 It's not just about resources or prestige. It's about: 🔥 Mindset: These environments encourage taking risks, questioning the status quo, and thinking outside the box. 🧠 Community: You're surrounded by ambitious, like-minded individuals who challenge you to grow and push your boundaries. 📚 Knowledge: Access to cutting-edge research, thought leaders, and groundbreaking ideas. 💡 Networks: Connections that go far beyond your campus walls—venture capitalists, industry leaders, and mentors that can shape your entrepreneurial journey. Lesson for life? Your environment matters. Who you surround yourself with, the opportunities you chase, and the mindset you embrace can make all the difference in the path you take. Whether you're at a top-tier university or building in the trenches, this is a reminder: Seek out those who challenge you, push your boundaries, and inspire you to be the best version of yourself. Growth isn’t just about where you are; it’s about what you make of it. 💼 Founder? Dreamer? Doer? Let's connect and learn together! 💼 #Entrepreneurship #Startups #Innovation #Leadership #UCberkeley #Stanford #Harvard #MIT #StrategicGrowth #FounderMindset #Networking #LifelongLearning #GrowthMindset #PitchBook2024 #Startuplife

Congratulations!! on Completing Harvard Innovation Labs' Startup Secrets Certificate Course. I'm thrilled to share that I've completed the esteemed Startup Secrets certificate course offered by Harvard Innovation Labs. This transformative journey has empowered me with invaluable insights and expertise to propel innovative ventures. Innovation Strategies: Mastered effective approaches to drive innovation, disrupt markets, and create sustainable businesses. Entrepreneurial Mindset: Developed resilience, adaptability, and creativity to navigate uncertainty. Pitching and Funding: Learned persuasive pitching techniques and strategic fundraising methods. Team Building and Leadership: Discovered essential leadership skills for fostering collaborative, high-performing teams. Scaling and Growth: Explored scalable business models, market analysis, and strategic partnerships. Validate, Iterate, Repeat: Continuously refine your value proposition. Focus on Customer Pain Points: Prioritize genuine customer needs. Build Diverse Teams: Foster inclusive, innovative ecosystems. Embrace Failure: Learn from setbacks, iterate, and adapt. This certification fuels my passion for innovation, entrepreneurship, and leadership. I'm eager to: 1. Apply these insights to drive impactful projects. 2. Collaborate with fellow innovators. 3. Mentor aspiring entrepreneurs. Thank you, Harvard Innovation Labs, for the exceptional curriculum, expert instructors, and global networking opportunities. #StartupSecrets #HarvardInnovationLabs #CertificateCourse #Entrepreneurship #Innovation #Leadership #GrowthMindset #StartupLife #BusinessStrategy #SNSInstitutions #SNSDesignThinkers #DesignThinking

In 2014 I read the book "The Hard Thing About Hard Things," by Ben Horowitz. It really helped me reflect on and think through many of the challenges of growing a young company. Drawing from his own experiences as a co-founder, CEO, and venture capitalist, Horowitz sheds light on the often-overlooked difficulties that leaders face, from making tough decisions and managing internal conflicts to navigating through economic downturns. The book doesn’t offer easy answers or a step-by-step guide; instead, it presents a series of lessons and insights that emphasize the resilience, creativity, and leadership required to overcome the most daunting obstacles. Through candid storytelling and practical advice, Horowitz aims to equip current and aspiring entrepreneurs with the tools they need to endure the "hard things"—those problems that cannot be solved by a generic approach but require enduring the pain and finding a unique path forward. I highly recommend it - you can find it here: https://lnkd.in/gKNmyGv3 In this recent speech (https://lnkd.in/g7DTmUm4) NVIDIA CEO, Jensen Huang also shared some similar unconventional wisdom with Stanford students, suggesting that lower expectations and experiencing hardship are crucial for achieving success. Huang believes that high expectations can undermine resilience, a key ingredient for success. Huang’s message to the privileged Gen Z graduates is that embracing pain and suffering can build character and resilience, qualities that smartness alone cannot foster. He acknowledges that students from elite institutions like Stanford may start with high expectations due to their prestigious education and the significant investment in their tuition. However, he emphasizes that resilience, often developed through overcoming challenges and setbacks, is vital for long-term achievement. #lifelonglearning #grit

🎯 Breaking through boundaries. Constant growth. I’ve completed the Summer School of Entrepreneurship from Aalto Startup Center‘s amazing team. For me, this is more than just education — it’s a key to expanding horizons. Why does this matter? 1️⃣ I am an entrepreneur. No matter what roles I take on, whether within in companies or as consultant, I always push beyond limits and focus on growing the business. Entrepreneurship is in my DNA. 2️⃣ I am a leader and mentor. I inspire, guide, and support my teams, clients, and colleagues. As a mentor for startups, it’s crucial for me not just to stay ahead of trends but to set the pace. I learn from the best and pass on this knowledge to those ready to grow. If you’re ready for transformations — let’s make it happen! New ideas and ambitions demand action!🏆 A special thanks to the Seeds of Bravery program, and especially to Krista Jäntti for the outstanding organization of the program, the incredible level of speakers, and the overall impactful experience. Huge gratitude to my mentor Diana Berezhna for her dedication, expertise, and invaluable advice that helped me push my limits and gain new perspectives. Your support has been priceless. #Entrepreneurship #Leadership #Growth #Mentorship

Two weeks ago on a Sat morning, I was a guest speaker at HKU Business School to share with the students on the MBA entrepreneurship course. It was about my personal journey as an entrepreneur as well as pivoting through the different career shifts from corporate to entrepreneur to venture capital to family office. In addition to sharing practical entrepreneurship concepts, practical business models (examples) social innovation concepts (examples), common startup failure issues, leadership style, personal values & entrepreneurial mindset, this cohort of smart students were eager to delve deeper during the extended Q&A session. Interestingly, the questions posed were deep. Maybe this was the last session so the students had time to reflect throughout the course. The ones I vividly recall were: * how did you manage to pivot into the different careers? * what key skills that saw you through these career shifts? * how did you decide to leave your corporate position to be part of an entrepreneurial team? * how do you define success in life? * what one big advice you would suggest before we do a startup? Thank you to the MBA class for the stimulating questions that helped me reflect on my life journey too. And a big thank you to Prof Lam for inviting me. #mba #entrepreneurship #HKUMBA

Our friends at Uncharted Learning, NFP | INCubatoredu shared an insightful article by Landi Spearman, L6S about why entrepreneurship education goes beyond startups. It empowers students with key skills like leadership, adaptability, and resilience—preparing them for success in any industry. Entrepreneurship is more than a business—it’s a mindset that shapes future leaders. https://lnkd.in/g_rMyvSK #Entrepreneurship #FutureLeaders #RealWorldChallenges 

In a famous experiment at Stanford University, kindergarteners outperformed CEOs, lawyers, and MBA students with one simple approach. The setup was basic: Each group had to build the tallest tower using the materials they were given. The results? Kindergarteners built a 26-inch tower. CEOs reached 22 inches. Lawyers managed 15 inches. And MBA students hit only 10 inches. Why did kindergarteners excel? Unlike the MBAs, who spent time discussing, planning and dividing tasks, the kindergarteners skipped the planning phase and jumped straight into the building. They quickly created multiple versions, adjusting as they went, and focused more on action instead of developing a perfect plan. For MSME business owners, this is a powerful lesson: You don’t need rigid structures or hierarchies to make progress. Like the kindergarteners, sometimes the best results come from diving in, testing, and adjusting as you go. This is why startups often grow faster than traditional "Lala" companies. Startups take pride in their flexibility, continuous experimentation, and quick pivots, while more established companies may get bogged down in layers of planning and approvals. So, to build something great, focus on experimenting, taking action, and learning along the way. The more you experiment, the more you’ll discover. What do you think about this approach? #business #startups #companies #leadership #experiments #innovation #simplesolutions #progress

Do founders really benefit from going back to school? 🎓 While some entrepreneurs question the value of an MBA for start-up success, recent studies show the opposite. An MBA won’t do the work for you, but it can sharpen your entrepreneurial skills, connect you to opportunities, and inspire a whole new level of growth. #Entrepreneurship #MBA #BusinessEducation #Leadership #StartupSuccess #LifelongLearning

Start-up Founders are Flag Bearers From Nov 2024, the MBA (Entrepreneurship) students of ATLAS SkillTech University will be coached on building high performance teams, for which I might be stepping into the classroom. Many a times this aspect is taken lightly and the aspiring entrepreneurs realise late in the journey that team building can make or break enterprises. It is true for the first generational founders as well as succession led family businesses and the evidences are all around us. So why is it so important to understand team building and enterprise development for entrepreneurs: 1) Founders often emerge as the flag bearers of their vision, embodying the spirit and values that drive their companies. This role is particularly crucial in distinguishing between first-generation entrepreneurs and their successors. 2) First-generation founders are typically the innovators who conceive an idea and take the initial risks to transform it into a thriving business. Their passion and commitment set the cultural tone, establishing a legacy rooted in their personal experiences and aspirations. 3) Successors in family businesses face the complex challenge of maintaining that legacy while also adapting to changing market dynamics. They must respect the founder’s vision while infusing the organization with fresh perspectives. This balance is crucial, as it ensures that the company remains relevant in an ever-evolving landscape. Both first-generation founders and successors share the responsibility of cultivating a strong organizational culture. This culture acts as a compass, guiding decision-making and behavior across the company. Whether at the helm or in a supportive role, these leaders shape their organizations' identities, proving that effective leadership begins at the top and resonates throughout the entire company. In this way, founders and their successors play pivotal roles as flag bearers, ensuring that the organization remains true to its core values while navigating the complexities of growth and change. The best way to increase the chances of success of a student led start-ups is to train them on team development early on. Siddharth Shahani Bob Gammie Stanford LEAD Stanford Seed