Introducing Our Venture Studio, Podcast and Ted’s Startup Maxim #1

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Sticky Ventures is pleased to introduce our company and podcast. As a venture studio, we help entrepreneurs take ideas from concept to execution. We’ve launched the Sticky Ventures Podcast to dig into the obvious things people ignore to help you build amazing startups. In this pilot episode, CEO Mike McClure and Chairman Ted Yang introduce the first in a set of operating principles they refer to as Ted’s Maxims: Your Idea Isn't Worth $hit.

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“When I say that your idea isn't worth $hit, it's tough love.” - Ted Yang

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In the full episode, listen to Mike and Ted sound off on:

• The fallacy of the perfect idea 
• Why execution is the real driver of success
• Why building a winning team is paramount 
• How venture studios like Sticky Ventures support early-stage entrepreneurs, particularly in securing startup funding. 
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The Next Great Idea: How Every Successful Startup Begins (Or Is It?)

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Mike and Ted start by describing a scenario that plays out in countless startup funding conversations and meetings: an entrepreneur or aspiring founder passionately describes their "game-changing" idea, convinced that it's the next big thing. Ted cuts to the chase with a harsh reality check:

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From my experience, the more someone thinks that they've got that crazy, super hot idea that no one needs to know about, the more people have asked me to sign an NDA before they'll tell me about this really great idea, the less original that idea tends to be. Ideas by themselves aren't valuable, what really matters is the execution. - Ted Yang

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Ted and Mike then break down frequently cited success stories like Facebook and Google and emphasize how choosing the right colleagues and the right entry timing are critical factors for any aspiring startup:

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You're going to spend more time with your co-founders than you're going to spend with your partner. You're going to be in the trenches together, so really need to figure out who those people are and who you want with you. - Ted Yang

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Mike recalls hearing similar advice from an early career mentor and describes how he’s taken this wisdom - together with on past experience - to build the Sticky Ventures team. He and Ted highlight the role of collective team experience for success. As they explain, the more experienced a team’s members are, the stronger their network is and the better equipped they are to navigate the challenges and uncertainties of the startup world:

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Having experienced entrepreneurs in your corner can help you make informed decisions, avoid costly mistakes, and navigate the intricate maze of entrepreneurship more effectively. - Ted Yang

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How Sticky Ventures Helps Aspiring Founders and Startups

As a venture studio, Sticky Ventures plays a more hands-on role in a startup's journey than traditional accelerators or incubators - we’re part of your founding team. We’ll work with you to refine your ideas, provide resources and mentorship, and then build it alongside you.

Our established framework, honed through years of collective experience launching and scaling startups, encompasses ideation, market validation, product development, marketing, and fundraising strategies, reducing the uncertainties that often plague startups.

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Curious to Learn More?

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Stay posted for future episodes where Mike and Ted will walk through the full lists of Ted’s Maxims and along the way discuss topics like securing funding, assessing product-market fit and identifying the optimal timing for exit. 

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Take Your Idea from Zero to One with Sticky Ventures

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If you're an aspiring founder looking for a competitive edge, consider working with our venture studio. This team can provide you with the resources, mentorship, and connections needed to secure investment and execute your idea effectively:

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We've been through the process countless times; we bring a well-established framework to the table. - Mike McClure

Interested in launching a conversation? Book a time to discuss your startup idea.