Author Archives: Tom

Shoulder Surgery

Posted on November 2, 2010 by Tom

A couple of months ago I had a fall and I tore my rotator cuff.  This morning I am going under the knife in order to repair it. Several years ago I had shoulder surgery on my other shoulder, so … Continue reading →

Posted in Personal | 6 Comments

Why Be A Mentor?

Posted on November 1, 2010 by Tom

As I travel around the world helping communities to start accelerators, I’m often asked in various ways about the challenges of finding mentors who are willing to volunteer to help novice startup teams – and thereby contribute to the greater … Continue reading →

Posted in Accelerators, Entrepreneurialism | 1 Comment

Startupbootcamp Demo Day is just around the corner!

Posted on October 25, 2010 by Tom

Startupbootcamp is TechStars’ first Global Affiliate.  We’ve been long time fans of Alex Farcet, the Managing Director of StartupBootCamp, and have been more than thrilled to be working with him as he builds a world-class accelerator in Northern Europe. On … Continue reading →

Posted in Accelerators, Entrepreneurialism | 2 Comments

Working with TechStars

Posted on May 9, 2010 by Tom

Over the last few years, TechStars has indirectly touched my life in many ways: I was CEO of IntenseDebate, a TechStars graduate; I have invested in a few TechStars companies; I have met some incredibly great entrepreneurs that I continue … Continue reading →

Posted in Business, Economics, Entrepreneurialism, Personal, Philosophy | 2 Comments

Criteria for My Next Gig

Posted on December 15, 2009 by Tom

We know what we are, but know not what we may be. -William Shakespeare As time marches on, I get increasing clarity about what’s important to me, increasing ability discern to benefits and drawbacks to various opportunities, and increasing pressure … Continue reading →

Posted in Personal, Philosophy | Leave a comment

“Oh oh it's magic” – Part Deux

Posted on December 12, 2009 by Tom

Sonos is remarkably well done. But in my mind it’s only the tip of the iceberg; Sonos is a very-specific audio implementation of the combination of three technologies: WiFi as the new household remote control standard – replacing infrared, X.10, … Continue reading →

Posted in Business, Internet | Leave a comment

“Oh oh it's magic”

Posted on December 12, 2009 by Tom

Oh oh it’s magic When I’m with you (Oh-o, it’s magic)Oh oh it’s magic, just a little magic (gotta be magic)You know it’s true I got a hold on you The Cars   I’ve got a lot of friends who … Continue reading →

Posted in Business | 1 Comment

The Economist: Best Books of 2009

Posted on December 4, 2009 by Tom

The best economics and business books of the year, according to The Economist magazine: Too Big to Fail: The Inside Story of How Wall Street and Washington Fought to Save the Financial Systems–and Themselves. By Andrew Ross Sorkin. Viking; 624 … Continue reading →

Posted in Business, Economics | 1 Comment

Microsoft caught acting like Microsoft, 2009 version (aka Silverlight)

Posted on December 3, 2009 by Tom

TechCrunch has a nice post about the history and drivers of MS’s browser innovation (or lack thereof). Rather than playing nicely with the exciting development of HTML 5, MS instead is dragging its feet and trying to push people toward … Continue reading →

Posted in Business, Economics, Internet | Leave a comment

Identifying and Evaluating Entrepreneurial Opportunities

Posted on November 25, 2009 by Tom

Here’s the deck for the talk I gave last night for WinterInTheBunker.  There were lots of good questions, and some comparisons and contrasts to Paul Berberian’s excellent talk on the same subject last week. Evaulating Business Opportunities View more presentations … Continue reading →

Posted in Business, Entrepreneurialism | 1 Comment