Talk to the students of the UOM (University of Macedonia, Thessaloniki, Greece) about startups

1. From a Tech Idea to a
Global meaningful
company
how tech people with a novel idea can
start and grow a global company!
A Mentor’s view
Sotiris Karagiannis
Information Technology Expert,
Startup Mentor (a)
Twitter: @skaragiannis
Linkedin: http://linkedin.com/in/karagiannis

2. Who am I ? A Tech Visionary (?)
a life timeline full of changes between Passion, Innovation, Entrepreneurship
1970’s Moon, Robot Toys, Air Models, Electronics, Boards, Mini Computers, Games
1980’s
2000
1980’s Computers, Uni (Applied Math), Software, Artificial Intelligence Edinburgh
1990’s
..1990’s ISP in N. Greece, Internet Software, Web Apps, Infrastructure, Cloud ,Future?

3. Your mentor for today
 My path was full of changes in a continuous
search for knowledge, innovation,
entrepreneurship and real market value
 I NEVER stopped LOVING what I did (passion) 
 I was many times a self starter (a Serial
Entrepreneur), I was never settled, I failed
many times and learned a lot.
 I had mentors myself and I listened to them.
I want to pay that back…

4. A piece of the reality
You are HERE
You want to go HERE
Geeks only 

5. Think about this …

6. “Software is eating the World! “
Marc Andreessen
“Over two billion people now use the broadband Internet”
“software programming tools and Internet-based services make it
easy to launch new global software-powered start-ups in many
industries”
“the single most dramatic example of this phenomenon of software
eating a traditional business is the rise of Amazon, today’s the
world's largest bookseller, which is a software company”
Video : Netflix
Music : iTunes, Spotify, Pandora
Entertainment: Zynga, Pixar Photography: Shutterfly, Snapfish, Flickr
Marketing: Google, Groupon, Living Social, Foursquare
Telecom: Skype HR/Recruiting : Linkedin
Transportation: Uber, Tesla News/Media : Twitter
File share: Dropbox, Box Social: Facebook, Yammer
Cloud: Amazon, Azure and …. TVs, Home Appliances, Planes, Cars, Oil
and Gas, Financials, Health Care, Education, Knowledge ………

7. Going to a global War:
The Basics
 So do you think you’re a (global) entrepreneur ?
 Why are you there (desire not fear)?
 Which (global) problem are you solving?
 Are you afraid of (global) failure?
 Do you take risks (calculated or other)?
 Do you want to change the World ?

8. A Tech Idea! Is it enough?
 Are you solving a (global) problem
 Do you know what it takes to solve it?
 You wish to try and don’t mind to fail?
 Do you think that your life is
depending on it?
 Is it going to change the
world?

9. Focus on the Problem. Got it?
Focus on the problem!!
If you're only excited about the solution,
you'll lose interest when
your solution doesn't fix
the problem!

10. Q: “Why should anyone care” ?
A question people hate
 What is your value proposition ?
 What is your competition (globally)?
 Have you got “IP protection”?
 Can you execute (idea -> action) ?
 Does it Monetize ? (money talk)
 Do customers care ? (metrics)

11. Something to remember about
competing incumbents
“Over the next 10 years,
the battles between
incumbents and software-powered insurgents
will be epic”
Marc Andreessen

12. Q: “Have you thought about ..” ?
 A TEAM !! Sole Founder vs Having co-founders?
 The location : Greece or ?
 Funding ? How much do
you need ?
 Your secret sauce!!
You sure have one.
Don’t you?
 The old type Business Plan?
Better have a 3 Year Budget/quick Business Plan

13. So you want money from VCs?
 You have a solid Plan
 You sure have Customer Validation, no?
 You got Pilots / Commitments
 You thought about Shares /
Equity / Advisors etc
 You have good legal support!!
That’s why Mentoring is useful …

14. OK. Ready to take Off ?
 Product sales, sales, sales …
growth !
 Marketing, brand establishment
 Continuous funding rounds >>
fill me up
 Global Success
 Exit Plan !!!
Companies are bought !!

15. Product Advice
If you’re not
embarrassed when you
ship your first version
you waited too long …

16. “The People Who Are Crazy Enough to Think They Can Change the
World, Are the Ones Who Do!” - Steve Jobs
And some final advice …
Make more effort than
is expected of you.
Adapt to the rapid
changes
Think BUSINESS !!
Stay Hungry Stay Foolish

17. Thank You !!
Skar.gr@gmail.com
Linkedin.com/in/karagiannis
@skaragiannis