Some people talk about innovation. Others live it. Michael Lyon has built a career that bridges worlds most of us only dream about, from helping launch the first space tourists to diving miles beneath the ocean surface, and now mentoring the next generation of tech entrepreneurs. A Harvard Law graduate with experience spanning government, finance, and frontier industries, Michael has spent over 40 years helping bold ideas find their place in the real world. Today, he serves as a longtime mentor at the Creative Destruction Lab, guiding hundreds of founders in fields like space, ocean technology, and AI.

In this conversation, Michael shares the hard-won lessons behind his new book, Accelerating Startups: Lessons from Mentors. He opens up about the questions founders don’t always stop to ask, like whether they’re truly ready for the risks, trade-offs, and constant pressure that come with building something new. Michael explains why it’s smarter to chase a real-world problem than to fall in love with a piece of technology, and how founders can stay grounded when money, time, and people all pull in different directions. What stands out is how he draws on the precision of a lawyer and the curiosity of an adventurer to illustrate the messy and rewarding nature of the startup path.

We also discuss the human side of Tech Transfer, including how universities can better prepare innovators for the leap into business, what it means to listen to mentors truly, and why staying humble often opens more doors than any credential ever could. When the topic turns to AI, Michael keeps it practical, discussing where it helps, where it falls short, and how founders can utilize it without compromising their creative edge. His stories have a lived-in quality that makes you believe progress is built through patience, self-awareness, and the kind of mentorship that keeps you moving when things get hard.

In This Episode:

[02:15] How Michael helped launch the first space tourists and later mentored hundreds of ventures at the Creative Destruction Lab.

[03:40] What inspired him to write Accelerating Startups: Lessons from Mentors, and how common startup challenges led to the book.

[05:08] The “Section Zero” question and why founders should pause to ask if they’re truly ready to build a company.

[06:45] The personal and professional sacrifices that come with startup life and how timing matters.

[08:20] Why reflection, self-awareness, and resilience are critical traits for any founder.

[09:30] The trap of “a solution looking for a problem” and how tech transfer teams can help avoid it.

[10:45] Why falling in love with the problem, not the technology, is key to real market traction.

[11:55] The role of early business plans in aligning co-founders and clarifying assumptions.

[12:40] Customer discovery tips for academic founders and how to measure perceived customer value.

[14:00] Blind spots Michael often sees in university-based startups and why being coachable changes everything.

[15:28] The balance between technology development and commercialization within research spinouts.

[16:45] How mastering a 30-second pitch can transform a founder’s understanding of their own business.

[18:10] Why many companies struggle with active listening and how coachability affects mentor relationships.

[20:25] Building the right founding team and why compatibility and trust matter more than equity splits.

[22:30] Michael’s advice on founder “prenups,” equity vesting, and handling co-founder departures.

[24:10] How startups should approach global markets early and the role tech transfer offices play in preparing them.

[26:30] Inside the Creative Destruction Lab model—goal setting, mentorship quality, and science-based acceleration.

[28:20] Legal pitfalls academic entrepreneurs often overlook and why strong agreements matter.

[29:45] Michael’s take on AI in startups and how it can streamline, and where human creativity still leads.

[31:20] His top three takeaways for new founders include building a business plan, refining your pitch, and staying open to learning.

[33:00] Reflections on mentorship, trust, and the patient, disciplined path from idea to impact.

Resources: 

AUTM

Accelerating Startups: Lessons From Mentors

Michael Lyon - LinkedIn

[email protected]

Creative Destruction Lab