Jeffrey Donenfeld

Category: Presentations

  • Uganda is Positioned for Starlink Broadband – Market Access Analysis and Recommendations

    Uganda is Positioned for Starlink Broadband – Market Access Analysis and Recommendations

    Recently, I had the opportunity to present a brief analysis and strategy to the team at SpaceX’s Starlink on key considerations and strategy points they should understand in building Starlink access in Uganda. Thanks to the team at Starlink for hosting me, as well as for a tour of the Starlink satellite factory.

    Summary of the Presentation: SpaceX Starlink Market Access Analysis – Uganda

    This presentation provides a detailed analysis of Starlink’s strategic roadmap for entering Uganda’s satellite internet market. It outlines the current state of Uganda’s communications infrastructure, including key players and technological advancements, while highlighting the opportunities and challenges posed by local licensing frameworks and geopolitical considerations. The document emphasizes the importance of building strong relationships with regulatory authorities, such as the Uganda Communications Commission (UCC), and leveraging existing partnerships with local telecom providers to streamline the market entry process. Furthermore, it explores how Starlink can integrate innovative technologies like VSAT and direct-to-cell services to address Uganda’s digital inclusion goals. The analysis underscores the need for a dynamic approach that balances compliance with local regulations, collaboration with regional stakeholders, and differentiation in service offerings to ensure a competitive and sustainable market presence.

    Key Takeaways:

    1. Strategic Partnerships are Essential: Collaborating with local providers, regulators (e.g., Uganda Communications Commission – UCC), and diplomatic entities is critical for navigating the market and regulatory landscape.
    2. Regulatory and Licensing Complexity: The necessity for landing rights, local offices, and compliance with Uganda’s satellite service framework presents challenges but also opportunities for establishing a robust presence.
    3. Technology Integration and Innovation: Leveraging advancements such as VSAT for personal broadband and direct-to-cell services aligns with Uganda’s digital inclusion goals.

    Further Discussion:

    1. How can Starlink’s market entry strategy adapt to political and regulatory unpredictability in Uganda, especially concerning censorship and interception requirements?
    2. What opportunities exist to integrate Starlink’s services with Uganda’s e-government initiatives or regional trade agreements like COMESA?
    3. Given the competition from other global satellite providers like OneWeb and China’s SpaceSail, how can Starlink differentiate its service offerings to capture and sustain market share?
    4. How can improved satellite communication infrastructure in Africa bolster national security initiatives, such as disaster response or border monitoring, while fostering private entrepreneurship in these areas?
    5. What role can Starlink play in supporting local startups and small businesses in Uganda to scale operations while contributing to broader national security objectives, such as secure data transmission and cyber resilience?

    Key Terms:

    1. Starlink: A satellite internet constellation operated by SpaceX providing high-speed internet access globally.
    2. VSAT (Very Small Aperture Terminal): Small satellite dishes used for broadband data communications, often in remote or underserved areas.
    3. Landing Rights: Authorization for foreign-owned satellites to provide services within a specific country’s borders.
    4. National Public Service Provider (NPSP): A license required for entities delivering public communication services in Uganda.
    5. UCC (Uganda Communications Commission): The regulatory authority overseeing telecommunications and satellite services in Uganda.
    6. Geopolitical Challenges: Barriers arising from political relationships, alliances, and international policies that can affect business operations.
    7. Backhaul: The intermediate network links between the core telecommunications infrastructure and smaller networks or local connections.
    8. Direct-to-Cell Services: Satellite communication services providing direct connectivity to mobile devices, bypassing traditional ground infrastructure.
    9. COMESA (Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa): A regional economic organization aiming to enhance trade and integration among its member countries.
    10. E-Band Frequency: A portion of the electromagnetic spectrum (71–76 GHz and 81–86 GHz) used for high-speed satellite communications.
    11. Digital Inclusion: Efforts and strategies to ensure all individuals and communities, including the underserved, have access to digital technologies and internet services.
    12. Ground Station: A terrestrial facility that communicates with satellites, serving as a node in the satellite communication network.
    13. Interception Requirements: Legal mandates that allow governments to monitor or intercept communication data for security and law enforcement purposes.
    14. Fiber Connectivity: The use of fiber-optic cables to provide high-speed internet and data transmission services.
    15. Satellite Constellation: A group of satellites working together to provide global or regional coverage for communications or other services.
    16. Uganda National Data Transmission Backbone: A government-led initiative to enhance digital infrastructure and connectivity across Uganda.
    17. ESIM (Earth Station In Motion): Satellite communication systems designed to provide connectivity for moving platforms like ships, aircraft, and vehicles.
    18. Regional Public Infrastructure Provider (RPIP): A license granted to companies that build and operate infrastructure supporting public communication services in a specific region.
    19. Type Approval: Certification that satellite communication equipment complies with local regulatory standards before being deployed or used.

    Sources

  • Leading the Business Innovation Value Proposition Pitching Workshop at the NASA/Starburst Aerospace Space-H Accelerator

    Leading the Business Innovation Value Proposition Pitching Workshop at the NASA/Starburst Aerospace Space-H Accelerator

    Thanks to the teams at Starburst Aerospace, NASA’s Human Research Program, the Translational Research Institute for Space Health (TRISH), Methuselah Foundation, and Microsoft Federal for hosting me to lead the inaugural Space-H Space Health Accelerator cohort in a workshop on the nuances of Business Innovation Value Proposition Pitching. A few notes from our engaging session:

    Workshop Summary1

    Jeffrey Donenfeld, an experienced investor and business strategist, presented insights on venture capital financing and investor relations to a group of early-stage startup representatives. The presentation covered the venture capital financing lifecycle, effective communication of value propositions, and strategies for navigating investor relationships. Donenfeld emphasized the importance of articulating clear value propositions, understanding market positioning, and maintaining regular investor communications. The session also included discussions on various funding sources, including non-dilutive options, and the pros and cons of different financing strategies for startups at various stages of growth.

    Introduction and background of Jeffrey Donenfeld

    • Jeffrey Donenfeld introduced himself as a lifelong technologist and science enthusiast, as well as a business and venture investing strategist, focusing on building the future of humanity through technology and business innovation.
    • Donenfeld shared his experience working with the National Science Foundation in Antarctica at the South Pole, where he served as an EMT in the medical clinic and helped build scientific instruments including a neutrino telescope and a microwave telescope.
    • Prior to starting Echo Mesa and consulting, Donenfeld was the Investment Director at Boomtown Accelerators in Boulder, where he managed deal flow and investment funnel for 12 different accelerators, made about 120 investments, and built a portfolio worth approximately $500 million.
    • Donenfeld emphasized his extensive experience in evaluating pitches, from reading applications to conducting initial interviews and making final investment decisions with executive boards.

    Goals and structure of the presentation

    • The main goal of the presentation was to provide insights on presenting to future investors, business partners, and network contacts, aiming to help attendees carry conversations forward effectively.
    • The presentation was structured into three main sections: 1) Understanding general positioning within the US Venture landscape, 2) Demonstrating value proposition, and 3) Assessing fundraising options and fundraising value proposition.
    • The final part of the presentation focused on building an effective pitch for investors and network contacts, synthesizing the information from the previous sections.
    • Donenfeld offered to provide access to his AI notes on Fellow, a collaborative note-taking platform, and promised to share a PDF version of the presentation deck with attendees for later reference.

    Navigating the Gartner Hype Cycle and AI in healthcare

    • Jayant Menon from Nahlia(?) discussed their work on an autonomous healthcare system for astronauts in deep space, noting that the field of AI in healthcare is currently in the ‘trough of disillusionment’ phase of the Gartner hype cycle.
    • The discussion highlighted that economics, rather than technology alone, is a significant driver in healthcare innovation. Menon suggested that the path to enlightenment in AI healthcare applications seems to be extending further with each cycle.
    • Jeffrey Donenfeld inquired about Nahlia(?)’s positioning, asking if they consider their product a VR play, an AR play, a health tech play, an AI play, or an EdTech play, highlighting the multifaceted nature of their autonomous healthcare system for emergency situations.
    • Donenfeld suggested that incorporating different technologies at various points in the hype cycle could help keep a company on a high wave while navigating through low troughs.
    • Gartner’s specific hype cycles for various industries, including a health tech hype cycle for US healthcare payers in 2024, were mentioned as useful tools for setting business development goals and understanding positioning for talking to payers.

    Effective Communication of Value Proposition

    • Jeffrey Donenfeld emphasized the importance of being able to streamline and slim down the company’s value proposition for efficient communication in conversations and written materials.
    • The Heilmeier Catechism, a tool used by DARPA, was introduced as a method for communicating a company’s value. It includes questions about what the company is trying to do, how it’s done today, the new approach, who cares, risks, costs, timeline, and how success will be measured.
    • A distilled version of the value proposition was presented, focusing on identifying the target customer, providing a solution name or brand description, explaining what it does, and comparing it to the competition.
    • Kate Nelson highlighted the importance of differentiation from competition, especially for companies working on bleeding-edge technology where competition might be stealthy or limited.
    • Donenfeld emphasized the value of a company demonstrating knowledge of their competition, even in cutting-edge fields where competitors might not be publicly known.

    Company value propositions and product discussions

    • Nanotics’ value proposition was discussed, highlighting their platform technology that depletes targets from blood rather than adding molecules. They target ‘undruggable’ targets and offer better therapeutic index compared to conventional drugs, addressing limitations of antibody drugs.
    • Nanotics is developing solutions for cancer, sepsis, cardiovascular disease, and neurodegenerative diseases. They have 38 granted patents on their technology, which intervenes at the information level rather than the cellular level.
    • Innsightful presented their mental health solution for organizations, which leverages wearable technology and AI to track mental health symptoms and deliver just-in-time therapy. Their solution provides real-time monitoring of symptoms and identifies the most effective interventions.
    • The discussion touched on the use of generative AI, autonomous agents, and digital twins in healthcare, focusing on how these technologies can assist in austere situations where an expert needs to know the next step.

    Venture capital financing lifecycle and funding sources

    • Jeffrey Donenfeld presented the venture capital financing lifecycle, illustrating different stages from discovery to exit and tracking who companies should be raising money from at each stage.
    • Special Purpose Vehicles (SPVs) were highlighted as an increasingly popular tool for venture funds and companies to limit liability and market exposure. The pros and cons of using SPVs for early-stage funding were discussed, considering the cost (around $8,000-$10,000) relative to the amount being raised and the company’s valuation.
    • Investment syndicates were discussed as another funding option, with Denver Angels mentioned as an example using a syndicate model to identify opportunities and raise funds from their network of investors on a per-investment basis.
    • Non-dilutive funding sources were discussed, including SBIR and STTR grants for early-stage companies, as well as municipal and city grants. Various funding sources for manufacturing and delivery were mentioned, including Department of Defense (DoD) grants, DARPA(?), Defense Innovation Unit (DIU), and the Office of Strategic Capital (OSC).
    • Family offices and family funds were discussed as potential funding sources, typically fitting between seed and Series A funding, but their placement can vary depending on the amount of funding provided.

    Investor Relations and Communication Strategies

    • Mahmoud Zubaidi from Gattaco(?) expressed concerns about investor questions regarding traction, noting that investors seem to be focusing more on advanced companies and less on early or risky ventures.
    • Jeffrey Donenfeld advised that while traction isn’t always necessary, startups need to articulate how they plan to gain traction and demonstrate viability. He emphasized the importance of showing deep market awareness, understanding past failures in the industry, and explaining how the company plans to succeed.
    • Donenfeld suggested using the ‘Halmark hashism(?)’ approach, which involves outlining midterm and final exams to check for success. He recommended breaking down the roadmap into clear, achievable steps and being transparent about progress and challenges.
    • The importance of regular investor updates was highlighted. Donenfeld mentioned that some startups use Notion to streamline these updates, providing timelines, roadmaps, and honest assessments of progress, including areas where they might be behind schedule.
    • Louis Hawthorne shared that their company, which has 30 investors on the cap table, uses a quarterly newsletter called ‘nanot News’ to keep investors informed and satisfied.
    • Donenfeld encouraged attendees to connect with him on LinkedIn and offered to make introductions within his network, requesting that any introduction requests be well-researched and relevant to ensure high-quality connections.
    1. Summaries and notes generated by Fellow.app AI NoteTaker ↩︎
  • Discussing the SpaceX Starship IFT4 Test Flight with Mach33 Financial Group

    Discussing the SpaceX Starship IFT4 Test Flight with Mach33 Financial Group

    Thanks to Aaron Burnett and the rest of the Mach33 Financial Group team for hosting an engaging live audio chat this morning directly after the exhilerating SpaceX Starship IFT4 test flight. Honored to be a part of the group, and glad we could cover these general topics, as well as others. Participants included: Alexander Darvishian – Mach33, Ryan Duffy – Array Labs, Christopher Reichelt – Mach33, Vlad Saigau – Mach33, Aaron Burnett – Mach33.

    Starship IFT4 Conversation Topics

    • Flap heating and burnthrough
    • Roll controll thrusters
    • Increased stringers for rigidity
    • Hot staging ring
    • Concept that Starship is an experimental platform still – lots of testing
    • Starlink utility, advertising, and impacts on the industry
    • Starlink direct to device
    • SpaceX building demand for commercial launch capability
    • Stainless steel durability
    • Indusry ripple effects
    • Private investment thesis and opportunities
    • Impacts of media availabilty on public interest
    • Starship vs Starliner streaming audience
    • Predictions on activities for IFT5, 6, 7
      • Jeffrey Donenfeld’s prediction (as of 2024-06-06 14:49Z is IFT5 will survive reentry heating intact and complete soft water landing, will also demonstrate on-orbit relight, and cycle payload deployment door, IFT6 will deploy Starlink satellites in addition to soft precision water landing, IFT7 will deploy Starlink and make an attempt at chopsticks landing.

    Test Flight Briefing from SpaceX:

    The fourth flight test of Starship is targeted to launch Thursday, June 6 from Starbase in Texas. The 120-minute test window opens at 7:00 a.m. CT.

    A live webcast of the flight test will begin about 30 minutes before liftoff, which you can watch here and on X @SpaceX. The launch window will open as early as 7 a.m. CT. As is the case with all developmental testing, the schedule is dynamic and likely to change, so be sure to stay tuned to our X account for updates.

    Starship’s third flight test made tremendous strides towards a future of rapidly reliable reusable rockets. The test completed several exciting firsts, including the first Starship reentry from space, the first ever opening and closing of Starship’s payload door in space, and a successful propellant transfer demonstration. This last test provided valuable data for eventual ship-to-ship propellant transfers that will enable missions like returning astronauts to the Moon under NASA’s Artemis program.

    The fourth flight test turns our focus from achieving orbit to demonstrating the ability to return and reuse Starship and Super Heavy. The primary objectives will be executing a landing burn and soft splashdown in the Gulf of Mexico with the Super Heavy booster, and achieving a controlled entry of Starship.

    To accomplish this, several software and hardware upgrades have been made to increase overall reliability and address lessons learned from Flight 3. The SpaceX team will also implement operational changes, including the jettison of the Super Heavy’s hot-stage following boostback to reduce booster mass for the final phase of flight.

    Flight 4 will fly a similar trajectory as the previous flight test, with Starship targeted to splashdown in the Indian Ocean. This flight path does not require a deorbit burn for reentry, maximizing public safety while still providing the opportunity to meet our primary objective of a controlled Starship reentry.

    The fourth flight of Starship will aim to bring us closer to the rapidly reusable future on the horizon. We’re continuing to rapidly develop Starship, putting flight hardware in a flight environment to learn as quickly as possible as we build a fully reusable transportation system designed to carry crew and cargo to Earth orbit, the Moon, Mars and beyond.

    To continue with the excitement, a few interesting snippets from around the web:

    Here’s that lighter… https://shop.spacex.com/collections/trending/products/starship-torch
  • Leading the U.S. Dept. of State International Visitor Leadership Program Science and Technology Entrepreneurship Training

    Leading the U.S. Dept. of State International Visitor Leadership Program Science and Technology Entrepreneurship Training

    I’m honored to have had the opportunity to lead a group of 16 international business leaders in the International Visitor Leadership Program Science and Technology Entrepreneurship Training seminar, conducted May 23rd 2024 at the Posner Center for International Development, hosted by World Denver. During the morning training, we covered topics including:

    • Roles of government, private enterprises, professional organizations, and universities in fostering entrepreneurship and supporting innovation.
    • Ways in which innovations are adopted and diffused into diverse sectors such as medicine, agriculture, manufacturing, and communications, and especially in non-traditional fields or less economically vibrant areas.
    • Assessment of the role of higher education in advancing technologies and empowering young people, especially women and minorities, in tech fields.
    • Nuances in addressing technological and social challenges in non-traditional sectors or less economically vibrant regions.

    IVLP at-a-glance:

    The International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP) is the U.S. Department of State’s premier professional exchange program. Through short-term visits to the United States, current and emerging foreign leaders in a variety of fields experience this country firsthand and cultivate lasting relationships with their American counterparts. Professional meetings reflect the participants’ professional interests and support the foreign policy goals of the United States.

    Each year nearly 5,000 International Visitors come to the U.S. on the International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP). More than 200,000 International Visitors have engaged with Americans through the IVLP, including more than 500 current or former Chiefs of State or Heads of Government.

    The U.S. Department of State International Visitor Leadership Program on Science and Technology Entrepreneurship Training showcases a diverse group of participants from across the globe, each bringing unique geographic and professional backgrounds.

    Barbados:
    Mr. Shannon Clarke, based in Christ Church, is the Director of Carepoint Solutions and Principal Software Developer at Konabos. His work primarily focuses on developing software for healthcare and fostering tech innovation in Barbados through hackathons and mentorship programs.

    Democratic Republic of the Congo:
    Miss Sharon Rose Kapinga Kabulwe from Kinshasa is the Student President at the University of Kinshasa and works with EXPUN/DRC. She is engaged in developing a revolutionary respirator and protective visors for healthcare professionals using 3-D printing, demonstrating a strong commitment to improving healthcare in the Congo.

    Cote d’Ivoire:
    Ms. Assamala Ingrid Ruth Epezagne, based in Abidjan, is a Telecom engineer and the Regional Director for Africa, Francophone and Arab Countries at the African Agribusiness Incubator Network (AAIN). She is a multilingual entrepreneur supporting agricultural and ICT sectors across Africa.

    India:
    Mr. Nasif Naduvileveedu Muhammed Najeeb, without a primary address listed, leads programs and initiatives at the Kerala StartUp Mission. His role involves supporting over 1,500 tech startups in India, focusing on stakeholder management, operations, and securing funding.

    Iraq:
    Mr. Karwan Al-Dosakee from Duhok is the Director of Skills Development and Innovation at Duhok Polytechnic University. He is instrumental in promoting entrepreneurship and technological innovation among students and graduates in Iraq.

    Lebanon:
    Mr. Fouad Abdallah, based in Beirut, is the Human Resources and Career Center Director at Antonine University. His extensive experience in HR and project management is leveraged to transform strategies into HR initiatives and enhance the university’s career development services.

    Nigeria:
    Mr. Eliezer Chibundu Ezeh Ajah from Enugu is the Lead Talent Development and Outsourcing at Genesys Tech Hub. His work focuses on talent development in the tech sector, having trained over 700 young Nigerians in the latest technologies.

    Norway:
    Ms. Karoline Løvall from Oslo is a Project Manager at Abelia, overseeing projects related to sustainability, equality, education, and digitalization. She previously managed the “Girls and Technology” program, aiming to increase female participation in STEM fields.

    Pakistan:
    Mr. Syed Azfar Hussain from Karachi is the Project Director of the National Incubation Center Hyderabad. He has mentored 50 startups and led successful STEM hackathons, contributing significantly to Pakistan’s tech startup ecosystem.

    Poland:
    Ms. Marcelina Firkowska, without a primary address listed, is the Head of Academic Entrepreneurship at the Foundation for Polish Science. She specializes in technology transfer and academic entrepreneurship, supporting the Polish science community.

    Turkey:
    Mr. Kayahan Ince from Adana is a Science Teacher and Project Manager at the Provincial National Education Directorate. He coordinates science festivals and promotes STEAM education and entrepreneurship, particularly among K-12 students.

    Rwanda:
    Ms. Mamy Ingabire Muziga from Kigali is the Co-Founder and Managing Director of Charis UAS, Rwanda’s first drone company. Her work spans multiple African countries, focusing on using drone technology for agriculture, mining, and infrastructure inspection.

    Spain:
    Mr. Jose Francisco Monserrat del Rio from Valencia is the Vice-Rector at the Universitat Politècnica de València. His research in 5G wireless systems and his role in university internationalization highlights his contributions to engineering and global engagement.

    Taiwan:
    Ms. Sheau Tyng Peng from Taipei City is the Assistant to the Office of Minister Audrey Tang at the Ministry of Digital Affairs. She plays a crucial role in enhancing Taiwan’s digital infrastructure and policies, fostering technological advancements.

    Tajikistan:
    Ms. Umedakhon Pulotova from Khujand City is the Director of LLC New Algorithm (IT Run Programming School). She focuses on IT education and job placement for course graduates, promoting IT skills among the youth in Tajikistan.

    Thailand:
    Ms. Punthana Khamkhiao from Amphur Mueang is the Assistant Manager at the Technology Licensing Office of Chiang Mai University. Her work involves intellectual property management and technology commercialization, supporting innovation at the university.

    Tunisia:
    Mr. Ahmed Maalel from Monastir is an Associate Professor at the Ministry of Higher Education. He co-founded the Association of Scientific Research and Innovation in Computer Science, organizing events to support young researchers and entrepreneurs in Tunisia.

  • Teaching the IREX Young Leaders of the Americas VC Funding Seminar

    Teaching the IREX Young Leaders of the Americas VC Funding Seminar

    IREX Logo

    Today, I was happy to act as lead venture capital educator with Echo Mesa Ventures for the International Research & Exchanges Board (IREX) Young Leaders of the Americas Entrepreneur Funding Seminar. We had a great group of 120 early-mid stage entrepreneurs from Centra and South America, at the beginning of their entrepreneurship fellowship with U.S. Dept of State supported IREX.

    I was happy to present to the group on topics surrounding VC Funding:

    • Positioning yourself within US Venture
    • How to get your foot in the door with a VC firm in the U.S.
    • What questions can you expect from potential funders.
    • How to differentiate your business from others.
  • Why I Fly – Ignite Denver 39

    Why I Fly – Ignite Denver 39

    This week I had the pleasure of speaking at Ignite Denver 39 on “Why I Choose To Fly A Single Engine Aircraft Alone”. As an Ignite talk, the talk was 5 minutes, 20 slides, auto-advancing every 15 seconds. Thanks to the Ignite Denver team for an excellent production, and to the rest of the Ignite Denver 39 speakers for the collaboration and support!

    “Why I choose to fly a single engine aircraft alone? Why would I put myself in peril of this thing dropping out of the sky? Do I trust myself to be able to land this thing? Where am I going!? I’ll tell you why.. and it’s not what you think…”

  • Teaching the Young Leaders of the Americas Initiative Startup Investor Pitch Workshop

    Teaching the Young Leaders of the Americas Initiative Startup Investor Pitch Workshop

    Today I honored to teach the Young Leaders of the Americas Initiative Startup Investor Pitch Workshop, in collaboration with World Denver and IREX, and working with entrepreneurs Don Novak of Propaganda Labs and Danny Effron of Show Labs.

    Over 3 hours, I worked with a group of 12 entrepreneurs from countries around the Americas on their investor pitches and presentations. Workshop modules included:

    • Introductions and one-liners from each startup
    • Discusson on finding your passion
    • Thoughts on receiving and integration feedback
    • Practice on handling rejection
    • Perspectives on American investors and international entrepreneurs pitching in the U.S.
    • Value Proposition
    • Storytelling
    • Breakout sessions for individual pitches and feedback
    • Group session integrating feedback and core learnings
    • Post-workshop networking

    Thanks to an engaged and smart group of entrepreneurs!

  • Judging the Young Transatlantic Innovation Leaders Initiative Fellowship Program Eastern European Startup Pitches

    Judging the Young Transatlantic Innovation Leaders Initiative Fellowship Program Eastern European Startup Pitches

    This week, I was honored to be a lead judge for the US State Department’s Young Transatlantic Innovation Leaders Initiative Fellowship Program Eastern European startup pitch contest, hosted by World Denver. All five of the entrepreneurs who presented had great pitches, and it was a pleasure to work with fellow judges Mike Connolly, Director Economic Development at Rockies Venture Club and Alana Vaughn-Phillips, Investment Operations Manager at Rockies Venture Club.

    The 2023 YTILI Fellowship Program, sponsored by the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs of the U.S. Department of State, includes a five-month virtual entrepreneurship curriculum and a four-week Fellowship experience with a U.S. company. Chosen from a competitive applicant pool, the 60 YTILI Fellows represent 36 European countries and reflect a wide variety of industry sectors. The program is a collaborative, enriching experience that combines entrepreneurship training with leadership development and networking opportunities. 

    ytili.org
    Jeffrey Donenfeld, Alana Vaughn-Phillips, Mike Connolly judge startup pitches from the Young Transatlantic Innovation Leaders Initiative Fellowship Program.

    The winning team was Ukranian company Uff — “The First Direct-From-Consumer Furniture”, lead by founder Alona Prenkovska. Alona will be moving on to pitch in the next competition in Washington DC. Congrats Alona!

    ChatGPT, please write a 500 word blog post about the importance of supporting international entrepreneurs:

    Entrepreneurship has always been a driving force behind innovation, economic growth, and job creation. However, in today’s globalized world, the success of entrepreneurship is not limited to any particular country or region. International entrepreneurs are playing an increasingly important role in the global economy, and it’s vital to support them.

    Here are some reasons why supporting international entrepreneurs is essential:

    1. Economic Growth and Job Creation

    International entrepreneurship has the potential to create economic growth and job opportunities in both the home country of the entrepreneur and the country where they establish their business. By investing in and supporting international entrepreneurs, countries can create a favorable environment for them to start businesses, which can help to create jobs, increase trade, and stimulate economic growth.

    1. Innovation and New Ideas

    International entrepreneurs bring new ideas and approaches to business. By working across borders, they are exposed to different cultures, markets, and technologies, which can lead to innovative solutions and new business models. These new ideas can help to create new products and services, which can benefit not only the entrepreneur but also the local community and the economy as a whole.

    1. Global Trade and Investment

    International entrepreneurs can act as a bridge between countries, facilitating trade and investment between them. By establishing businesses in different countries, they can create new markets for products and services and facilitate the flow of goods and services across borders. This can lead to increased trade and investment, which can benefit both the home country of the entrepreneur and the country where they establish their business.

    1. Cross-Cultural Exchange

    International entrepreneurship can help to promote cross-cultural exchange and understanding. By working with people from different cultures, entrepreneurs can learn about different ways of doing business and different perspectives on the world. This can help to promote understanding and respect between cultures and can lead to the creation of more diverse and inclusive businesses.

    1. Resilience and Adaptability

    International entrepreneurs are often more resilient and adaptable than their domestic counterparts. They have to deal with different legal and regulatory frameworks, cultural differences, and market conditions, which can be challenging. However, this also means that they are more likely to be able to adapt to changing circumstances and find new opportunities.

    In conclusion, supporting international entrepreneurs is essential for creating economic growth, promoting innovation, facilitating global trade and investment, promoting cross-cultural exchange, and promoting resilience and adaptability. Governments, investors, and other stakeholders should work together to create a favorable environment for international entrepreneurs, including access to funding, mentoring, and other resources. By doing so, we can create a more prosperous and connected world.

    Written by ChatGPT Mar 23 Version

  • Teaching Global Innovation Catalyst’s iX Online October Program Fundraising and Ownership Workshop

    Teaching Global Innovation Catalyst’s iX Online October Program Fundraising and Ownership Workshop

    Recently, I was honored to teach the Global Innovation Catalyst’s iX Online October 2021 Program Fundraising and Ownership Workshop for a great group of global entrepreneurs:

    Jeffrey Donenfeld teaching the Global Innovation Catalyst’s iX Online October 2021 Program Fundraising and Ownership Workshop

    Webinar 11: Fundraising and Ownership | GIC iX Online October 2021 Program – January 13, 2022

    The Global Innovation Catalyst (GIC) Innovation Execution (iX) Program takes participants through the phases of launching a new venture from concept generation, to development, through planning and execution. It provides a complete view, whether launching a simple local start-up, or a disruptive new global venture. The frameworks and tools are made accessible to anyone with the desire to innovate.

    iX is a collaboration with Stanford Online, and features the entire course content from Stanford’s Idea-to-Market entrepreneurship program, with discussions, regional contextualization, and feedback led by GIC facilitators. Participants who successfully complete the program receive a Certificate of Completion from Stanford Online.

    Recording on GIC’s YouTube Page

    Recording on my YouTube Page

  • Speaking on Entrepreneurship with the Russian CIEE Russia Youth Leadership and Entrepreneurship Virtual Exchange Program

    Speaking on Entrepreneurship with the Russian CIEE Russia Youth Leadership and Entrepreneurship Virtual Exchange Program

    Thanks to the Russian CIEE Russia Youth Leadership and Entrepreneurship Virtual Exchange Program for having me speak with them about startup investing and entrepreneurship. Looking forward to hearing the business pitches at the end of the program.

    Russia Youth Leadership and Entrepreneurship Virtual Exchange Program

    Program description

    This virtual exchange program for Russian and American university students aims at creating a dialogue between peers in the two countries, developing students’ intercultural competencies, while at the same time developing their entrepreneurial skills. During the ten-week, non-credit course, participants will acquire an understanding of the entrepreneurial process, including customer, market, and industry analysis that are used to develop a viable product. Special attention will be devoted to the topic of inclusion by ensuring employment opportunities for people with disabilities. Course sessions are designed to motivate students to generate their own business ideas by working in groups on a concrete project, to be presented during the last week of the program. The program participants will be divided in teams, comprising Russian and US students.

    Learning objectives

    Upon successful completion of this course, participants will:

    • advance their intercultural competences, as well as their problem-solving and negotiating skills by working in teams with their peers from culturally and geographically diverse backgrounds;
      • develop conceptual and practical knowledge of entrepreneurial process and an entrepreneur’s role in different cultural contexts;
      • recognize the importance of creating diverse and inclusive workplaces for organizational success;
      • enhance pitching skills by actively participating in group discussions and contributing to the final presentation of their group.

    Methods of Instruction

    The course material is presented via on-line (synchronous) sessions, running twice a week. Sessions on Wednesday will introduce the major business concepts and ideas, while Friday sessions will focus on their use in practice. Invited guest speakers from business, academia and NGO sectors will address students in various weeks, followed by Q&A sessions. Weekly readings and assignments will be posted every Monday on the Canvas course site. Although fluid from week to week, students’ workload will on average include:

    • 120 minutes of live class sessions;
    • 30 minutes for home assignments;
    • 30 minutes engaging in team work on the final project.

    The final project: In-class Business Pitch

    The culminating assignment of the program will be an in-class business pitch, which students will develop over the course of the program. Its presentation will assess student abilities to articulate their business idea, their initial start-up needs, and the business launch timeline. Students can draw from the lectures, practical sessions, guest talks and reading materials while preparing their presentations. The presentations should follow the template and the criteria, which will be provided at the beginning of the course. Student teams will deliver their presentations during the concluding session (Week 10) as a team. Course participants and instructors will offer their feedback to each team’s presentation based on the set of criteria that were previously discussed in the course.

  • Judging Denver Startup Week Elevator Pitches.. in an Elevator!

    Judging Denver Startup Week Elevator Pitches.. in an Elevator!

    Going up? We sure were at the Denver Startup Week Elevator Pitch Event. I stood in an elevator in downtown Denver and listened to short 1 minute pitches from emerging startups.. super fast, super fun. I also had a chance to introduce Boomtown, and speak a bit about how we work with founders.

    GAN, a highly curated group of accelerators, partners and investors, presents a pitch competition in an actual elevator! Startups line up to pitch in the elevator – each startup will pitch in front of a panel of Denver judges, which includes Investors, Directors from top GAN Accelerators such as Boomtown Accelerators, Canopy Boulder, Telluride Venture Accelerator, Exponential Impact, ICELab, Techstars & UpRamp, as well as local business leaders. The ride takes about one minute round trip – a true elevator pitch!

  • Reverse Pitching Boomtown at Denver Startup Week

    Reverse Pitching Boomtown at Denver Startup Week

    This week, I was happy to pitch Boomtown Accelerators at the Denver Startup Week Reverse Accelerator Pitch Session. Thanks GAN for hosting, and for all of the great questions from the audience.

    GAN is a highly-curated community of accelerators, partners, and investors who all share a collective purpose of creating opportunities for startups around the world to access the human and financial capital they need to create and grow their businesses, wherever they are.

    This event is a great opportunity to hear directly from the leaders from GAN Accelerators right here in Colorado and beyond: Techstars, Exponential Impact, Canopy Boulder, Boomtown, UpRamp, ICELab, Telluride Venture Accelerator and NMotion. Each accelerator will give a quick pitch on their program, explain what makes them unique, and answer questions from attendees.

     

     

  • Mentoring German Marshall Fund YTLI Fellows

    Mentoring German Marshall Fund YTLI Fellows

    This week, I was proud to spend a bit of time working with a group of international entrepreneurs participating in the German Marshall Fund of the United States Young Transatlantic Innovation Leaders Initiative Fellowship, supported by the U.S. Department of State. We discussed:

    • The quick expansion of the Denver/Boulder area entrepreneurship landscape and opportunities for startup venture capital.
    • Considerations for international startups working in and moving to the United States.
    • The Boomtown Accelerators process and how I look at startup applications.
    • Startup pitch practice

    The Young Transatlantic Innovation Leaders Initiative (YTILI) Fellowship is a flagship young European leaders program of the U.S. Department of State that is supported in its implementation by the German Marshall Fund of the United States (GMF).

    During this year-long fellowship, young European entrepreneurs from 45 eligible countries will participate in a series of activities designed to strengthen their businesses and create a transatlantic innovation network.

    YTILI fellows are young entrepreneurs between the ages of 24-35 with either commercial or social ventures that they are seeking to scale in their home countries. The YTILI experience is a professional development opportunity for innovators to become changemakers by developing the skills to be successful entrepreneurs. YTILI Fellows are given access to a network of professionals, mentors, and resources aligned to support the growth of their venture during the fellowship experience. By exploring entrepreneurship in the transatlantic context, YTILI fellows will also develop the expertise to better engage in policy conversations in their home countries, across Europe, and in the transatlantic sphere.

  • Leading the Montreal StartupFest 2019 “Startup Accelerator Communities” Roundtable Discussion

    Leading the Montreal StartupFest 2019 “Startup Accelerator Communities” Roundtable Discussion

    At Montreal StartupFest 2019, I led a roundtable discussion on Building Startup Accelerator Communities, accompanied by industry colleague Tariq Haddadin of Techstars. Thanks to the StartupFest team for putting on a solid event!

    Discussion Notes: Montreal StartupFest 2019 – Building Startup Accelerator Communities Roundtable Discussion

    Led by Jeffrey Donenfeld of Boomtown Accelerators and Tariq Haddadin of Techstars

    Opening

    • Accelerator model and Accelerators Networks

    Round table

    • Local vs global networks
    • Startup partners (AWS, Google for Entrepreneur, etc.)
    • How your accelerator can be a part of the network and a catalyst for corporates
    • You are building a social network for your accelerator but more importantly for your companies and founders and alumni
    • GAN
    • Building a network for your accelerator (pipeline, investors, etc.)
    • How to use corporate relationships with accelerators to apply their network to your accelerator companies + alumni
    • Benefits of creating a global network of partners
    • Community events

    Managing founder<>Mentor relationships and setting expectations – do staff manage mentors or do you setup separate person for managing these relationships?

    • Asking questions rather than doing work. (Bob, Innova Corp)
    • Educating mentors on how to mentor effectively (Tariq) and setting up initial Mentor Madness meeting
    • Weekly update emails from Mentors on what they can do
    • (David F)Building mentors network through tiers. Give first and divide of giving vs selling (Jeffrey)
    • Hybrid local/remote mode (Alex Reid ) zoom meetings and quarterly reviews,  planned meetings – tech to engage folks
    • Mentor company vs mentor entrepreneur – mentor the person for longterm (robert)

    Connecting accelerators around the world

    • Look for synergies of founders for prioritizing connections (tariq)
    • GAN (Jeffrey)
    • Build local network first
    • Used to enhance dealflow synergies (jeffrey)

    Using network to build investor relationships

    • Rise of pre-venture community
    • Seattle angel conference, rockies venture club

    Corporate Accelerators

    • Corporate resources that an accelerator can’t necessarily provide (tariq) pushing give first
    • Learning how to deal with corporations (jeffrey)
    • (Vivek (loreal)) – do boomtown/techstars compete on comcast – find unique strengths for each program


    https://twitter.com/Jeffzilla/status/1148729065538383872
    https://twitter.com/Jeffzilla/status/1148684776653692928

  • Guiding discussion on Startup Network Building at Montreal StartupFest

    Guiding discussion on Startup Network Building at Montreal StartupFest

    This year at Montreal StartupFest, I hosted a discussion with startup accelerator and venture investment leaders on startup network building, alumni services, and dealflow community. Thanks to Montreal StartupFest for a solid event.

    Startupfest is the leading startup event in Canada. Founded in 2011, it has become the annual gathering at which entrepreneurs, investors, makers, large enterprises, industry veterans, and startup communities chart the course of technology entrepreneurship.

    The unique, informal format, set in one of the world’s most iconic cities, tackles the entire lifecycle of new venture creation, from the spark of an idea to the final signature on acquisition or the ringing bell of an IPO. Attendees leave with four days of world-class content; fresh connections; back-of-the-napkin ideas; and the allure of champagne-popping exits.

    The festival is more than just great content and global attendees, however. Over the years, we’ve earned a reputation for rethinking the standard event formats—from panels of Grandmother Judges, to Tent Villages that encourage networking around relevant themes, and elevator pitches in actual elevators, we combine aspirational keynotes with hands-on practicality and a healthy dose of irreverence.

    PHOTOS

    A few notes from our discussion:

    Topics:
    1. Setting KPIs
    2. Building a network for your program
    3. Alumni services

  • Keynote – “Startup Investing in the United States” at Kazakhstan’s GoViral Conference

    Keynote – “Startup Investing in the United States” at Kazakhstan’s GoViral Conference

    During the June 2019 GoViral Conference in Almaty, Kazakhstan, I gave the keynote speech on Startup Investing in the United States. Featured on: Instagram – GoViral.kz, Facebook – GoViral.kz, Facebook – US Embassy Kazakhstan

    Go Viral is an international festival sponsored by the U.S. Mission to Kazakhstan that brings together innovators in media, culture, business, and technology to learn about the latest trends and big ideas from leading thinkers and influencers in various industries. Festival speakers are active, creative, and passionate professionals from the United States and Central Asia.

    Speaker Jeffrey Donenfeld delivering the keynote speech on Startup Investing in the USA at the 2019 GoViral Conference in Almaty, Kazakhstan
    Speaker Jeffrey Donenfeld delivering the keynote speech on Startup Investing in the USA at the 2019 GoViral Conference in Almaty, Kazakhstan
  • Forbes KZ – Making the connection between US and KZ investors

    Forbes KZ – Making the connection between US and KZ investors

    I had a wonderful time speaking with journalist Ulyana Salapaeva writing for Forbes Kazakhstan about making the connecting between US and KZ investors. In summary, I feel that there are a ton of options for Kazakh startups to approach US investors. It’s important to understand the mindset of the US investor, fully realize the type of interaction the investor is looking for (a full pitch, a conversation, a presentation etc), and be open to discussing challenger and being intellectually honest.  (PDF-RU) (PDF-EN)

  • Discussing Kazakh startups going international at GoViral Almaty

    Discussing Kazakh startups going international at GoViral Almaty

    On Day 1 of GoViral in Almaty, Kazakhstan, I participated in an engaging panel discussion covering details, nuances, and issues with Kazakh startups appealing to an international audience. Thanks for a solid discussion, panel!

    Go Viral is an international festival sponsored by the U.S. Mission to Kazakhstan that brings together innovators in media, culture, business, and technology to learn about the latest trends and big ideas from leading thinkers and influencers in various industries. Festival speakers are active, creative, and passionate professionals from the United States and Central Asia.

  • How to position your startup for investors – GoViral KZ Interview

    How to position your startup for investors – GoViral KZ Interview

    I had a solid discussion about how to position your startup for investors during GoViral.kz in Almaty, Kazakhstan with U.S. Embassy Tashkent Information Officer Susannah Wood. Thanks for the awesome discussion!

    Go Viral is an international festival sponsored by the U.S. Mission to Kazakhstan that brings together innovators in media, culture, business, and technology to learn about the latest trends and big ideas from leading thinkers and influencers in various industries. Festival speakers are active, creative, and passionate professionals from the United States and Central Asia.

  • Interviewing on How Central Asian startups can position themselves for US investors at GoViral.kz

    Interviewing on How Central Asian startups can position themselves for US investors at GoViral.kz

    Aliya Shaikhina and I sat down during the Go Viral Conference in Almaty, Kazakhstan to discuss how Central Asian startups can position themselves for US investors, #entrepreneurship, #investing, #technology, and Boomtown Accelerators. Thanks for your time Aliya, and thanks to the U.S. Consulate Almaty for hosting me at GoViral.kz!

    Go Viral is an international festival sponsored by the U.S. Mission to Kazakhstan that brings together innovators in media, culture, business, and technology to learn about the latest trends and big ideas from leading thinkers and influencers in various industries. Festival speakers are active, creative, and passionate professionals from the United States and Central Asia.

  • Discussing Where Traditional and Digital Nomads Meet at GoViral Almaty

    Discussing Where Traditional and Digital Nomads Meet at GoViral Almaty

    Thanks to GoViral Organizers and my amazing conference colleagues Rolf Potts, Gani Abadan, Daniyar Amanaliyev, and Saken Nigma for an engaging panel discussing long term travel, working remotely, and the changing landscape of digital productivity.

    Go Viral is an international festival sponsored by the U.S. Mission to Kazakhstan that brings together innovators in media, culture, business, and technology to learn about the latest trends and big ideas from leading thinkers and influencers in various industries. Festival speakers are active, creative, and passionate professionals from the United States and Central Asia.

  • Mentoring Startups from Emerging Markets at Seedstars World Summit 2019

    Mentoring Startups from Emerging Markets at Seedstars World Summit 2019

    I’m proud to have spent an action-packed week mentoring startups from global emerging markets at part of the Seedstars 2019 World Summit in Lausanne, Switzerland on behalf of Boomtown Accelerators (where I currently serve as Investment Director) It’s always a pleasure to connect with founders from across the globe, trade ideas, and teach them about what we’re working on in the USA/Colorado market. Stay tuned to Seedstars.. you’ll continue to hear about the startups in their programs well into the future.

  • Discussing life in Antarctica on REN TV Russia’s “The Riddles of Humanity”

    Discussing life in Antarctica on REN TV Russia’s “The Riddles of Humanity”

    This week, I appeared on REN TV Russia’s adventure show “The Riddles of Humanity”, Episode 255 to discuss life at the South Pole, Antarctica. Skip to minute 12 of the clip for my segment. My part of the segment covers (Google Translated from Russian: “Why is Antarctica called white Mars? How do people survive in super low temperatures? And how much is a ten-day tour to the South Pole?”

     

     

     

     

    https://youtu.be/nQHX8lE8g6I?t=709

    Edition 255 – 02/14/2019

    The host of the program, Oleg Shishkin, is a traveler, historian, expert in secret societies, an internationally recognized expert in the field of Eastern religions, author of books on the history of occultism and intelligence. Connoisseur of the closed esoteric archives of the USSR, who proved that Nicholas Roerich and Grigory Rasputin had close ties with intelligence.

    In “The Riddles of Humanity” on REN TV, Oleg Shishkin will find an explanation for all the shocking events. And confirm his version of the facts and documents. The program goes on REN TV 5 times a week, on weekdays. Spectators are waiting for travel to places that are not on the map, the mysteries of dangerous relics and ancient prophecies. Inexplicable facts and historical sensations of different eras will be studied – and they will find a convincing explanation.

  • Mentoring startups at the Seedstars CEE Summit

    Mentoring startups at the Seedstars CEE Summit

    In December 2018, I was honored to mentor startups and speak at the Seedstars CEE Summit. Meeting with leading edge entrepreneurs in the CEE region was an inspiring project, and I’m looking forward to continuing to work with this engaging group. A few of the key topics covered included:

    • Key considerations for CEE startups appealing to American and international investors.
    • Assessing startup accelerator, incubator, venture capital, angel, and studio models – which is right for your business?
    • Emerging technologies and viable applications for startups.
    • Pitch practice and pitch competition considerations.
    • What role emerging markets play in the entrepreneurial landscape and how to efficiently leverage emerging markets opportunities.

     

    Seedstars World is a Switzerland based startup competition that takes place in emerging markets. We run 65+ local competitions where we identify the best seed-stage startups, give them pitch training and award the winners with an opportunity to compete in the Seedstars Summit where one of them will be crowned Seedstars World Global Winner.

    Seedstars CEE Summit bridges the gap between ecosystems and connects regional stakeholders to promote and foster entrepreneurship & technology in emerging markets as a ?way to impact people’s lives & reach the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). An event with the purpose to shape the future of Europe and Central Asia.