In this episode, I talk with Alan Jones - an angel investor, tech-entrepreneur and mentor. Alan has worked as an entrepreneur-in-residence with accelerator programs like Startmate, muru-D and BlueChilli and is currently working for the Remarkable accelerator program which helps develop disability tech start-ups. 

I asked Alan what it takes to transform a start-up into a unicorn, and what the metrics and contextual drivers are. Alan generously shares his immense experience, passion and wisdom and answers questions such as:

• When to bootstrap or raise capital from investors? When not to?
• How to build a world-class team? How big should it be? How and when to find or compensate co-founders?
• Should you pivot? When?
• What is success? What makes great success stories? Is it always making money?
• What should you say (and not say) to investors?
• How ambitious or confident should you be?
• Who should you take advice from? 
• Should you aim to create a good business or a unicorn?
• What is impact? Which investors care about impact? Is it compatible with financial returns?

Of course, we could not avoid speaking about the current pandemic. Alan discussed how it affected start-ups and investment so far and how it is going to impact the 2nd half of 2020. Alan is very careful when making predictions about the future, but he gives very useful tips for founders to use over the next 12-18 months. Alan shares his thoughts on the companies or industries that might survive or even thrive in the future - a must listen for all entrepreneurs!!

Alan’s advice is simple: ‘Be in the right place at the right time with the right product’. He recommends joining an accelerator program that addresses a start-up’s customers and problems in safe work environments to develop ideas... and unicorns!!

Listen on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, TuneIn, Spotify and Google Podcasts.

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