From Idea to Success: How to Operationalize a Startup from Zero to Exit – Seth Spergel – BSW #346
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1. From Idea to Success: How to Operationalize a Startup from Zero to Exit – Seth Spergel – BSW #346
Startup founders dream of success, but it's much harder than it looks. As a former founder, I know the challenges of cultivating an idea, establishing product market fit, growing revenue, and finding the right exit. Trust me, it doesn't always end well.
In this interview, we welcome Seth Spergel, Managing Partner at Merlin Ventures, to discuss how to accelerate that journey to lead to a successful outcome. Seth will share Merlin Venture's approach to helping startups tackle the largest markets in the world, including US enterprises and federal. He will also share what success looks like.
Segment Resources: https://merlin.vc/advice-for-young-startups-eyeing-federal-what-kind-of-tech-does-the-u-s-government-need/ https://merlin.vc/we-have-liftoff/ https://merlin.vc/portfolio/ https://merlin.vc/dig-security-talon-cyber-security-acquired-by-palo-alto-networks/ https://innovationisrael.org.il/en/digital-reports/
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Guest
Seth Spergel is a Managing Partner of Merlin Ventures, where he is responsible for identifying cutting-edge companies for Merlin to partner with and invest in. Seth has more than 20 years of experience building, selling, and investing in software and startups. Most recently, Seth was VP for Infrastructure Technologies at In-Q-Tel, a strategic investment firm that invests in startups that meet the mission needs of government customers. There, he led a team of technology experts to evaluate companies and identify novel uses of their technology within In-Q-Tel’s customer set.
Prior to In-Q-Tel, Seth was the VP of Engineering for ThinkGeek, an online seller and manufacturer of “geeky” toys and clothing. He also spent 12 years at IBM in roles ranging from software developer to sales manager.
Hosts
2. Generative AI Legal Challenges as SEC Charges Disrupt Journey to CISO Role – BSW #346
In the leadership and communications section, Navigating Legal Challenges of Generative AI for the Board, Winds of Warning? SEC Charges Threaten to Disrupt Role of CISO, 6 Common Leadership Styles — and How to Decide Which to Use When, and more!
Announcements
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Hosts
- 1. Navigating Legal Challenges of Generative AI for the Board: A Strategic Guide
In today’s fast-paced business landscape, integrating Artificial Intelligence (AI), particularly Generative AI, encompassing technologies like ChatGPT, Bard, and DALL-E 2, presents unprecedented opportunities and multifaceted risks. As the custodian of corporate governance and strategy, the board oversees the adopting of these transformative technologies while safeguarding the company’s interests. This article delves into considerations and methods for boards to navigate the legal challenges of Generative AI.
- 2. Winds of Warning? SEC Charges Threaten to Disrupt Role of CISO
SEC allegations against a cybersecurity executive over a 2020 cyber incident have sent ripples through the industry. Paul Caron of cybersecurity consultancy S-RM digs into the case and explains why it could have a chilling effect on CISO employment.
- 3. How Google Cloud’s Office Of The CISO Is Shaping The Future
Google Cloud created the Office of the CISO to help customer navigate these challenges and implement more effective cloud security. I had a unique opportunity to closely examine the OCISO—speaking with the members that make up the team, as well as customers that engage with the OCISO to understand the value it provides.
- 4. Journey to becoming a CISO… (Part 1)
This project started from a place of curiosity — I wanted to know if there were any proven career paths that Fortune 100 CISOs followed to reach their current positions. Are there any clusters of security (or other) job functions that resulted in the CISO role? Is one security domain better than others for aspiring CISOs? How did CISOs start their careers and did that have an impact on them becoming a CISO? How about their educational background? If you are curious about these questions. Read on…
- 5. 6 Common Leadership Styles — and How to Decide Which to Use When
Research suggests that the most effective leaders adapt their style to different circumstances — be it a change in setting, a shift in organizational dynamics, or a turn in the business cycle. But what if you feel like you’re not equipped to take on a new and different leadership style — let alone more than one? In this article, the author outlines the six leadership styles Daniel Goleman first introduced in his 2000 HBR article, “Leadership That Gets Results,” and explains when to use each one. The good news is that personality is not destiny. Even if you’re naturally introverted or you tend to be driven by data and analysis rather than emotion, you can still learn how to adapt different leadership styles to organize, motivate, and direct your team.
- 6. Communication gap between C-suite & cybersecurity leaders
New cybersecurity research from FTI Consulting clarifies that while the importance of mitigating cybersecurity risk enjoys broad agreement across industries, a vital communications chasm remains between c-suite executives and cybersecurity leaders. This finding comes as part of the firm's "CISO Redefined" series, which analyses the evolving role of security executives.
