Catching Up On Readings: WEF 2024

This feature from Forbes by Bernard Marr looks at how the discussions at WEF Davos highlighted the significance of AI for economic, political, and social challenges. For this fortnight’s posts, click on the paragraph links.

Featured Videos

Colors: La Foret VI

I’m publishing this series on LinkedIn called Colors to explore a topic that I care deeply about: the Renaissance Mind. I am just as passionate about entrepreneurship, technology, and business, as I am about art and culture. In this series, I will typically publish a piece of art – one of my paintings – and I request you to spend a minute or two deeply meditating on it. I urge you to watch your feelings, thoughts, reactions to the piece, and write what comes to you, what thoughts it triggers, in the dialog area. Let us see what stimulation this interaction yields. For today – La Foret VI

La Foret VI | Sramana Mitra, 2021 | Watercolor, Pastel, Ink | 8 x 8, On Paper

Colors: La Foret V

I’m publishing this series on LinkedIn called Colors to explore a topic that I care deeply about: the Renaissance Mind. I am just as passionate about entrepreneurship, technology, and business, as I am about art and culture. In this series, I will typically publish a piece of art – one of my paintings – and I request you to spend a minute or two deeply meditating on it. I urge you to watch your feelings, thoughts, reactions to the piece, and write what comes to you, what thoughts it triggers, in the dialog area. Let us see what stimulation this interaction yields. For today – La Foret V

La Foret V | Sramana Mitra, 2021 | Watercolor, Pastel, Ink | 8  x 8, On Paper

Video FAQs

February 1 – 632nd 1Mby1M Mentoring Roundtable for Entrepreneurs

Entrepreneurs are invited to the 632nd FREE online 1Mby1M Mentoring Roundtable on Thursday, February 1, 2024, at 8 a.m. PST/11 a.m. EST/5 p.m. CET/9:30 p.m. India IST.

If you are a serious entrepreneur, register to “pitch” and sell your business idea. You’ll receive straightforward feedback, advice on next steps, and answers to any of your questions. Others can register to “attend” to watch, learn, and interact through the online chat.

You can learn more here and REGISTER TO PITCH OR ATTEND HERE. Register and you will receive the recording by email, even if you are unable to attend. Please share with any entrepreneurs in your circle who may be interested. All are welcome!

Best of Bootstrapping: Bootstrapped Using Services to $40 Million First

If you haven’t already, please study our free Bootstrapping Course and Investor Introductions page. 

ActiveCampaign Founder CEO Jason VandeBoom had built a disciplined, profitable business when we spoke in 2019 and had scaled it to $40 million in 2017 revenue. The company was first bootstrapped using services, and later raised ~$20 million in funding.

Sramana Mitra: Let’s start at the very beginning of your journey. Where are you from? Where were you born, raised, and in what kind of background?

Jason VandeBoom: I was born and raised in a small town in Wisconsin about an hour out of Milwaukee, and started in technology from a consulting side of things at a very early age. Around 13 or so, I started taking on small projects. I was always interested in engineering and design. That ultimately led me to go to art school. I chose a school in Chicago for art school. That’s what brought me to Chicago.

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Cloud Stocks: Big Blue Climbs to 10-Year High on AI Potential

IBM (NYSE: IBM) recently announced strong results for its fourth-quarter that sent the stock climbing 7% in the after-hours trading session.

631st 1Mby1M Roundtable for Entrepreneurs Starting NOW: Live Tweeting by @1Mby1M

Today’s 631st FREE online 1Mby1M Roundtable for Entrepreneurs is starting NOW, on Thursday, January 25, at 8 a.m. PST/11 a.m. EST/5 p.m. CET/9: 30 p.m. India IST. CLICK HERE to join. PASSWORD: startup  All are welcome!      

Best of Bootstrapping: Bootstrapped a Virtual Startup to $25M

If you haven’t already, please study our Bootstrapping Course and Investor Introductions page. 

I am a huge fan of virtual companies. Here is a conversation from 2019 about a virtual company built with excellent execution by a Russian entrepreneur, Percona Founder CEO Peter Zaitsev.

Sramana Mitra: Let’s start at the very beginning of your journey. Where are you from? Where were you born, raised, and in what kind of background?

Peter Zaitsev: I was born in what was the Soviet Union. I studied Math and Computer Science in Moscow State University. I started my first startup company while studying.

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