By Francis Moran
Self-described recidivist entrepreneur Misha Nossik says too many Ottawa technology entrepreneurs who succeed hit the beach and retire instead of hanging around to help nurture the next generation. Speaking at The Ottawa Network’s Start-up Drop-in yesterday evening, Nossik said the rest of the tech community should shun these guys.
“Let’s make them uninteresting,” he said, citing his consistent experience from other tech centres where entrepreneurs who have won and struck it rich continue to show up at events and to work with the community. He said one such guy told him he still keeps his hand in because if he retired to the golf course, he’d have nothing to talk about and nobody would find him interesting any more.
Nossik compared entrepreneurship to bungee jumping. Both entail a leap off into the unknown that, from the viewpoint of the uninitiated, looks highly risky. In fact, he said, neither is really all that risky, but someone who’s never done it before needs to be reassured of that by a veteran who has a jump or three under his or her belt.
The Start-up Drop-in a new initiative of TON this year and is hosted on the second last Wednesday of each month at the offices of technology law firm Labarge Weinstein. For more information about future Start-up Drop-in events, visit The Ottawa Network.
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My personal experience in Ottawa with regards to successful entrepreneurs giving back has been nothing be great. I’ve been introduced to a at least four successful Ottawa entrepreneurs and when I asked if I could have an hour of their time to pick their brain before starting up RaceDV, every single one said “no problem”.
They sat with me, heard the concept, helped define it, gave advice on how to position it and form the company. Every single meeting was incredibly helpful and valuable.
I liked Misha’s bungee jumping analogy and I agree with his point. I would however like to modify the analogy just a little to help illustrate the amount of courage it takes to make that leap.
Venturing on your own isn’t like standing on the edge of a bridge with two bungee cords tied to you. Its like standing at the edge of a bridge with two bungee cords tied to you that you made yourself!
For me, those were bungee cords my partners and I made together and none of us had the experience of ever making them before. Its pretty hairy when you’re going to commit to a venture full tilt, but I still agree with Misha. If the concept is sound(you’re fairly confident in your bungee cord), jump!
My bungee cord is still holding. Although maybe I haven’t reached the bottom of the fall yet.
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