Importance of Values in the Startup Grind

I’m on the board of 5 startups as a strategic advisor which I love doing but as a speaker most

of the events I attend and brands I work with are industry, enterprise or larger association.  This past week one of the startups I advice, Fledge Connect, placed in the top 50 for the Startup Grind competition allowing them to go to the global event in Redwood Ca to pitch VC’s, have a booth and participate in the event.

Although I had heard of Startup Grind, this was my first time attending one of their events and this global one is a big one with over 7k startups and 2 full days of speakers.

When arriving at events I always try to have done research prior on previous years while also seeing how they try to set themselves a part and the first sign I saw at Startup Grind set the vibe for the entire event and inspired this podcast episode.

The sign said simply “Our Values”

• Help Others – before yourself
• Give First – don’t take
• Make Friends – not contacts

Many events preach community and collaboration but seldom is it something built into the culture of company, the event and all of the attendees.

I did a short video after day 1 sharing my thoughts on Linkedin that you can watch here:

I was so inspired I decided to breakdown a few key things that stood out to me!

• Derek Anderson is the real deal and lives his values!
• Startup Bootcamp advice for pitching was intense
• What I noticed after watching 50 startups give 1 minute pitches
• VC’s opinion of marketing and its value or lack of value for startups
• Vulnerability was a theme on stage and amongst startups
• Everyone there was there because they wanted to help, give and make friends and we can all learn from that!

Listen below or on iTunes – Stitcher – Google Play – OttoRadio – SoundCloud iHeartRadio

I was fired up for this episode and if you want to feel that passion just before I left for the airport checkout this video

That’s a wrap on #StartupGrind but it was an epic 3 days & you should checkout @StartupGrind as they are doing great things led by the founder @DerekjAndersen who embodies everything this community stands for! Go find your local chapter & pitch to have your #Startup here in 2019 pic.twitter.com/rUb79jvecR

— Brian Fanzo 😎 Millennial Speaker (@iSocialFanz) February 15, 2018

Check out www.StartupGrind.com as they have 350+ locations around the globe.  I wasn’t paid to be there or paid to create this show but I left the event so inspired I had to share it with you guys only hours after getting home from a red-eye.  I hope you enjoy!