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Smart mentorship was one of the biggest wish-list items voiced by folks in a story about San Diego’s startup scene. Today in the comments of that story, local serial entrepreneur Darrius Thompson shared how Kelly Bennett’s article helped inspire him to act:
Appreciate your recent articles on startups, innovation and San Diego. I’m a local serial entrepreneur. Currently a founder and CEO of a 5-year-old company back by investors such as Google Venture and Intel Capital, etc. http://www.sweetlabs.com The previous company I co-founded, DivX, became public in the mid-2000s.
Your article points out the continued need/vacuum in helping other entrepreneurs increase the probability of building a successful company. I think part of the challenge is organizations who are helping where “intent” may be misaligned or where those helping may not have relevant or recent experience. The ideal scenario is one where there is great alignment or matching between the need of an entrepreneur and an outsider with experience yet without the “internal startups kool-aid” to help.
I’ve been asked a number of times over the past few years to start a local mentor program. Your article along with a few recent chats with frustrated entrepreneurs has pushed me over the edge. A kick in the ass to get involved. Impactful/meaningful.
Thanks for nudging me over the edge. Just posted this page to get things started. http://startupsd.tumblr.com
Read more from our ongoing series on innovation in San Diego.
Thompson’s comment has been lightly edited for style, grammar and clarity. See anything in there we should fact check? Tell us what to check out here.
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