From a failed startup to launching Founders Live across 155 cities and 58 countries, Nick explains what founders really need early on: community, storytelling, validation, and consistent action. He also breaks down why most people wait too long to start, how 99-second pitches force clarity, and what he's learned traveling through startup ecosystems around the world. Nick also shares how Founders Live evolved from a simple Seattle pitch event into a global founder marketplace connecting startups with legal, development, hiring, and growth resources.

We also discuss:

• Why founders overthink getting started

• How storytelling creates startup momentum

• Building startup ecosystems outside Silicon Valley

• Why the crowd votes at Founders Live

• Lessons from running communities across 58 countries

• What startup culture looks like in Africa and Southeast Asia

• The future of Founders Live's marketplace model

• Running a global remote-first company

• Nick's upcoming 90-day Africa tour

• Why entrepreneurship is a universal human drive

Nick Hughes LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/jnickhughes/

Nick Hughes Instagram https://www.instagram.com/jnickhughes/

Founders Live https://www.founderslive.com/

Jason Links https://linktr.ee/admin

Also check out The Jason Cavness Experience Deep Tech Demo Day during Seattle Deep Tech Week.

A showcase bringing together founders, investors, operators, and emerging deep tech startups across the Seattle ecosystem.

https://www.deep-tech-week.com/seattle-2026/events/the-jason-cavness-experience-deep-tech-demo-day-part-of-seattle-deep-tech-week