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The Secret History of Minnesota Part 1: Engineering Research Associates

Steve Blank

While it seemed like a good idea and had the Navy’s backing, the founders got turned down for funding by companies, investment bankers and everyone, until they talked to John Parker. Norris became the VP of Engineering, Engstrom the VP of Research, and Meader VP of Manufacturing. Why Minneapolis/St. million today.)

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See More than 120 Speakers and Mentors at The Lean Startup Conference

Startup Lessons Learned

When you look through the list , you’ll see big names that we’re very pleased we landed, epic companies we really want to hear from, and people we’re particularly excited to present because they have incredible stories to share--and you won’t hear them anyplace else. For example: Mitch Kapor was a founder of Lotus.

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Ardent 1: Supercomputers Get Personal

Steve Blank

A Phone Call After I left MIPS Computers I was in New York tagging along with a friend (a computer architect whose products at Apple a decade later would change the shape of personal computing) who was consulting for a voice recognition startup. I’ve convinced the team you’d be perfect, come join us as the VP of Marketing.”

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Convergent Technologies: War Story 1 – Selling with Sports Scores.

Steve Blank

These companies would take our computers and put their name on them and resell them to their customers. He even remembered the names of their wives and kids and some details about schools or events. (I The Consultative Sale Our sales guy then quietly asked if there was any way we could help them. Help them?!!

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The Future of Web Startups

www.paulgraham.com

In the last batch of startups we funded, we had several founders who said theyd thought of applying before, but werent sure and got jobs instead. This is a problem for founders, because it makes raising money take longer and cost more in legal fees. Founders and investors have different attitudes to risk.

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