Instigator Blog

2007 was quite the year. So much so that it’s almost too intense to look back and reflect on it. But it’s a worthwhile exercise, especially in how it relates to the vast changes this blog has undertaken.

The biggest change (and challenge) has been the adjustment of focus. In fact, figuring out my niche has always been a challenge - one I’ve “given up” on. I realized at some point in 2007 that I couldn’t niche this blog to one specific subject because it’s very much a reflection of me and where I’m at in life. And since I’m not one-dimensional (as far as I know!) it’s impossible for this blog to be that way. As much as I recognize the value in having a niche and ultra-focused blog, this is not it. Nor will it ever be. And so 2007 saw a radical shift in subject matter.

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My blog has been too quiet of late - mostly because of how busy I’ve been with Standout Jobs. Everything is going very well with the company, and you’ll see more news here and on the Standout Jobs blog very soon.

In the meantime, I thought it important to post a quick note that I probably won’t be publishing any new content for the next week / week and a half. There’s just too much going on to really focus my thoughts well and say anything intelligent.

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A quick reminder that the next Montreal Tech Entrepreneur Breakfast is scheduled for Tuesday, December 11th at Bistro, Etc. at 9am.

If you’re on Facebook (and haven’t abandoned it yet!) you can check out the Event: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=7615265665.

I also have a Montreal Tech Entrepreneur Group: http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=5502019497.

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Failure sucks. Let’s not sugarcoat it. No one goes into business, pours their heart (and money) into a startup, and hopes it will fail. But failure is common enough. The statistics on it are immaterial (and I’m too lazy to look them up right now) — suffice it to say, lots of startups fail. And even more of them don’t live up to expectations (even if they survive to fight another day.) It’s tough. And failure sucks.

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For most first-time entrepreneurs, intellectual property is a giant black hole. Most of us are familiar with the concepts of intellectual property - copyrights, patents, etc. - but few of us have been involved in really assessing and understanding intellectual property, its value and whether it’s important or not.

Jason Mendelson does a great job of looking at the value of patents for startups, with input from Brad Feld and Rob Shurtleff.

My thinking is much the same as theirs — the value of patents for startups is unclear. The one caveat is that I’m speaking specifically of Web 2.0-type / Web-based startups and not companies in biotech, life sciences, high-tech or clean-tech (where patents are almost a must.)

Most Web 2.0 startups are about execution. It’s not about a catalog of patents you use to defend your technology, or add value upon an acquisition. Rob Shurtleff (a VC), points out, “Software patents have in our experience not added significant value to early stage companies when they are acquired…”

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