Scott Pollack

I recently joined Alex Shevelenko, CEO of RELAYTO AI, on the podcast to discuss how leaders can navigate the intersection of AI and shifting business landscapes. We discussed the challenges CEOs face with two jobs: running the current business model and designing the next one. If you aren’t auditing your business model with the same rigor as your financial statements, you’re at risk. And the biggest hurdle to innovation isn't technical; it's a culture that fears failure. To succeed with AI, organizations must move away from "gut feelings" and toward a structured, mathematical process of experimentation. Listen to the full episode here: https://lnkd.in/gBfTNRY3 #AI #BusinessModels #Innovation The Wharton School #Amazon #Leadership #FutureOfWork

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I am pleased to join the upcoming New England Venture Summit for a panel discussion on a topic that shapes the long-term trajectory of every startup: the art of negotiating term sheets. Too often, founders approach term-sheet negotiations as a purely financial step. In reality, it is the moment when you define the relationship, expectations, and governance structure that will accompany your company for years. It is not just about valuation; it is about alignment, trust, and clarity. In this session, we will explore what entrepreneurs should understand before sitting at the table, how to avoid the most common pitfalls, and how to build a partnership that supports long-term growth. Whether it is a first round or a follow-on, preparation is everything. Looking forward to the conversation and to meeting founders and investors who are shaping the next wave of innovation. Event details: New England Venture Summit Panel: The Art of Negotiating Term Sheets - 10th December - Boston P3Ventures

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Following our recent blog on why female founders need to make more noise in response to an Observer interview with Martha Lane Fox, here’s a follow up with some practical tips on how best to do this! Female founders do not need permission to be seen. They need to recognise that visibility is part of the job. Not as an add-on, not as a vanity exercise, but as a form of leadership in its own right. And in a world that seems to consistently let women down at the moment, we need this more than ever. ps - I'm one to talk as I'm rubbish at self promotion, but I will do better!

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Matthew E Polimeno and Praveen Sahay from WAVE Equity Partners share invaluable guidance for entrepreneurs in E103 of 10X Growth Strategies podcast. Links to episode in the comments. Invite you to listen, like and share. We discuss the book Inflate Your Chances for Success, a practical handbook aimed at startups and entrepreneurs, authored by Matthew E Polimeno. This book serves as a comprehensive guide to navigating the due diligence process during fundraising and positioning startups for long-term success. Key Themes Due Diligence Mastery: Understanding and preparing for the questions and challenges that arise during investor evaluations. Operational Excellence: Streamlining processes, reducing costs, and improving product quality to build a scalable and efficient business. Strategic Growth: Charting a clear course for sustainable growth by addressing gaps and aligning execution with business goals. Investor Readiness: Equipping founders with the mindset and tools to build trust and credibility with investors.

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Boston B2B founders: if you’re raising pre-Seed or Seed, read this. 👇 Venture Lane | Startup Hub is hosting their next B2B Pitch Night on March 10th in Boston, showcasing six pre-Series A B2B tech startups to a room of 50+ early-stage investors. Applications close February 20th at 11:59 PM, and they’re prioritizing early submissions. They’re looking for: 🧿 B2B software companies in large markets. 🧿 Pre-Series A, actively fundraising. 🧿 Real traction: pilots, LOIs, beta users, or early revenue. 🧿 A live product or MVP. 🧿 Resilient, trustworthy founders who are already executing. Why I’m sharing this: we say “traction is the #1 indicator of startup success,” and this event is built around exactly that. If you’re a Boston-area B2B founder with early proof points, this is a legit way to get in front of a concentrated group of relevant investors and mentors.

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Book Launch Edition: The Creek Way Next week’s newsletter is a little different… I’ve written a children’s book for adults. Well - specifically, for innovation leaders.   The Creek Way uses storytelling to challenge outdated approaches to innovation - and offer something better. Think Aesop’s Fables meets Agile delivery.   The zoo animals? Traditional, top-down thinkers. The farm animals? Agile, empowered doers.   One group turns their fortunes around. The other… doesn’t.   And while the characters are fictional, their behaviour will feel very familiar to anyone working in a large firm.   We explore: • Why traditional innovation methods are failing • What real agile leadership looks like (not just buzzwords) • How to build a culture where learning trumps blame   It’s fun, yes. But it’s also serious. Because if we want better results, we need better approaches.   Want to know what it means to “be more Alpaca and less Hippo”? Sign up for the full newsletter via the link in my profile.

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What kind of founders join the Praxis Accelerator? We’re looking for founders who are building redemptive ventures—and want to do it in community. Praxis Fellows are typically: + Serious Christians + Humble and ambitious + Working full-time on their venture + Seeking accountable, values-aligned community These founders are leading ventures that are: + Early-stage, but gaining traction + Innovative in model or mission + Built for scale + Aimed at addressing major issues of our time Know a founder building in this way?  Nominate a Fellow for our 2026 US Business or Nonprofit Accelerator—or consider applying when applications open on July 14th. Let’s build together. Nominate a Fellow: https://lnkd.in/e3DcnRZW Learn more about our Accelerators: https://lnkd.in/eyqpX8yq

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Part II: We (Connor Cofoid and I) also dove into the difference between Angel Investors and Venture Capitalists, the value of mentorship, and how founders can avoid common traps when trying to scale too early or fundraise too soon. Whether you’re launching your first startup, advising one, or navigating the tech ecosystem, this episode has something for you. 🎙️ Powered by SKYHub Nigeria 📺 Catch the full episode on YouTube — just search Solomon Kershima YATEGHTEGH (mncs) - Tech: The UNSCRIPTED. Let’s keep having real, honest conversations about tech, funding, and building ventures that solve real problems.

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This week on Tacos & Tech, Faisal Mushtaq shares what founders actually need to grow and why community matters just as much as capital. We dive into his playbook for scaling, the power of writing, and how TechCon Global is reshaping what a tech conference can be. Listen now: https://lnkd.in/g7wZqhB5 TechCon details: https://techconglobal.com/

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Founders and investors converged at TEDCO's 2025 Entrepreneur Expo for the "Access to Capital: Different Funding Sources for Startups" panel. Recognizing that securing funding is a universal hurdle for early-stage companies, this session served as a strategic roadmap, confirming that Maryland’s robust capital ecosystem is actively engineered to fund visionary ideas and drive next-level growth at every stage. Learn more about the session and the advice provided by moderator Mindy Lehman of TEDCO and panelists Jeff Cherry, Conscious Venture Lab; Dawn Medley, FSC First; and Bret Schreiber, Fulton Bank at https://lnkd.in/ewG_E5Ss #entrepreneuer #startup #TEDCOExpo

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