From Founder to Investor: Lance Cottrell on Startup Growth, Leadership & AI in Business

Introduction

In this episode of the Connect podcast, host Shane Mahi interviews Lance Cottrell, an exited founder and angel investor. They discuss Lance's journey from building the world's first internet privacy company to becoming an active angel investor. The conversation covers the excitement and challenges of being an angel investor, the importance of customer validation, and the evolution of AI in business. Lance shares insights on hiring talent, surviving tough times, and the future of AI in sales and marketing. He emphasizes the need for continuous validation and experimentation in business.

"You have to express an intent."

- Lance Cottrell

Key Takeaways

• Lance Cottrell is an exited founder and angel investor.
• Angel investing offers excitement without the long hours of founding.
• Investing in startups requires a portfolio approach.
• Customer validation is crucial before building a product.
• Founders often struggle with managing people and emotional intelligence.
• Hiring the right talent is essential for business success.
• AI is transforming how businesses operate and market themselves.
• Continuous validation and experimentation are key to success.
• Surviving tough times requires resilience and adaptability.
• Networking is vital for finding the right opportunities.