Marko Srsan - Lessons Learned at TechStars London

1. #STARTUPADDVENTURE
MARKO SRSAN
EX TECHSTARS LONDON
LESSONS LEARNED AT
TECHSTARS LONDON

2. About me
• ex-associate @ Techstars
• founder @ TimePrep
• ex-organiser @ Zagreb Entrepreneurship Incubator
• ex-blogger, biz-dev & events @ Netokracija
• ex-Microsoft Student Partner
• University of Zagreb (MA in Economics; BSc in CS)
• drummer & FC Bayern fan
@msrsan

3. • one of the TOP startup accelerators in the world
• $118k in seed funding for 7-10% equity
• 9 Programs worldwide +
9 vertical “Powered by Techstars”
• $2.4M - average funding per company
• how it works - 3 month (13 weeks) program
55
66
405
Active
Acquired
Failed
@msrsan
About TechStars

4. Techstars London W14
#
10
companies
80
mentors
10
associates
300 Demo Day
investors
32,
avg. age
17 Mini
MBAs
@msrsan

5. #1 Function over form
• biggest cultural difference
• the form, as long as it’s legal, doesn’t matter
• what matters is:
• is the job done?
• how can we do it most efficiently?
• “done is better than perfect”
@msrsan
Lessons Learned

6. Lessons Learned
#2 Treat every situation as a new learning opportunity
• not everything you’ll do is interesting and brings joy
• not everyone you’ll talk to is fun
• stay positive
• it still needs to be done
@msrsan

7. #3 Put yourself in another person’s shoes
• hiring - one of the toughest founder jobs
• you can’t read people’s minds - listen
• understand people’s interests and motivation
• #win-#win situation
@msrsan
Lessons Learned

8. #4 Make a decision
• 80 mentors - 80 experiences - 80 opinions and advice
• mentor whiplash - founders break
• which path will my company take?
@msrsan
Lessons Learned

9. #5 Proper deadlines bring the best in you
• without a deadline, there’s no pressure - you waste time
• with a deadline, people are always
pushed over their limits!
• pitch evolution is unbelievable
@msrsan
Lessons Learned

10. #6 Keep it brief, short and simple
• difference between:
• being read or not
• arranging a meeting or not
• getting a job or not
• five.sentenc.es max
@msrsan
Lessons Learned

11. #7 Team is e v e r y t h i n g
• when facing with a mutual,
specific,greater goal
team synergy appears
@msrsan
Lessons Learned

12. Thank you!
Questions?
PS - Deadline for TS London is April 30th!
@msrsan