Growing a startup ecosystem can sound daunting — you’ve got to attract talent, streamline regulations, build capacity, ensure sufficient capital — and a quick glance at theGlobal Startup Ecosystem Reportfrom my organization, Startup Genome, might not disabuse you of the notion. For our latest edition, released September 22nd, we analyzed 280 ecosystems, crunched data on 3 million startups, and used more than 100 metrics to quantify their performance. As Startup Genome’s founder and CEO I’m here to offer a simplified view of startup ecosystem building....

The EV space is growing so fast that it’s simply impossible to keep track of all the companies making their way within the industry. And while a number of them might never make the headlines, there’s a bunch of “underdogs” we should definitely keep an eye on. Mullen Automotive Mullenhas been a minor player in the US-based motor industry since 2014, but within the past couple of years it has been surely making big strides towards electric vehicles....

3 telltale signs your startup has the potential to be disruptive How does your startup score? 1. Your product or service is very simple A lot of the misconceptions regarding disruption centers around the thought that a product or service has to be wildly new or advanced. This simply isn’t the case. Some of the most disruptive startups created something extremely simple. The key is being able to clearly explain what it is that your product or service does, and why it’s a better option for the consumer....

3 things I learned closing an acquisition during the pandemic Here’s how to do acquisitions the right way. 1.Establish relationships and chemistry from the outset Rock-solid relationships between company leadership teams are the most critical element of a successful acquisition. These tight bonds help ensure that negotiations go smoothly and fairly, help to maintain alignment on the goals and vision for the combined company, and provide the foundation necessary to weather major obstacles – even a global health crisis....

3 things I look for in a pitch deck as an investor Looks, story, and customization 1. Looks matter You can’t separate business from brand and looks do matter for your pitch deck. Investors want to see polished slides that establish your professionalism and demonstrate your care. I always advise startups to think about their deck design in the way they would think about their outfit for an interview or business meeting....