🎙️ How Brad Feld Built Tech's Most Influential Network Through Give First Leadership

In this deeply personal episode, Brad Feld, founding partner at Foundry VC and co-founder of Techstars, shares his remarkable journey from a 19-year-old bootstrapped entrepreneur to one of venture capital's most respected voices. Through candid stories of triumph and struggle, Brad reveals how his "Give First" philosophy revolutionized startup mentorship and created one of tech's most powerful networks. From building his first company with $10 to supporting over 4,000 startups through Techstars, Brad opens up about the mental health challenges that shaped his leadership approach and how vulnerability became his greatest strength.

✨ Key Insights You'll Learn:

• Building without venture capital: How to bootstrap a multi-million dollar business with just $10

• The evolution of programming: From 4GLs in the 90s to today's "vibe coding" revolution with AI

• Network effects mastery: Why connections × information value matters more than just knowing people

• Give First philosophy: Putting energy into systems without knowing what you'll get back

• Mentorship transformation: Converting one-up/one-down relationships into peer partnerships

• Democratizing entrepreneurship: Making startup creation accessible globally, not just in Silicon Valley

• Mental health leadership: How public vulnerability about depression and OCD transformed his effectiveness

• Non-attachment principles: Buddhist-inspired approaches to business stress and decision-making

  
  

🌟 Brad's Key Mentors & Influences:

• Len Fassler (Company Acquirer): Bought Brad's first company and taught him peer-based mentorship

• Charlie Feld (Uncle & CIO Pioneer): Introduced him to computers at age 12 and business leadership principles

• David Cohen (Techstars Co-founder): Developed the mentor-driven accelerator model together

• McAndrew (Buddhist Therapist): Guided him through CBT and non-attachment principles for leadership

• The Boulder Community: 50+ mentors who helped create the first Techstars program in 2007

  
  

👉 Don't miss this powerful conversation about authentic leadership, the transformative power of giving first, and how personal struggles can fuel professional excellence in building startup ecosystems.

🔗 Connect with Brad Feld:

• LinkedIn: Brad Feld, Founding Partner at Foundry VC

• Website: feld.com

• Book: "Give First: The Power of Mentorship" (Available June 24, 2025)

• Company: Foundry VC - foundry.vc

📄 Transcript Available: From $10 Bootstrap to Billion-Dollar Networks: Brad Feld's Give First Journey

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📄 Special Thanks to Anthony Codispoti & AddBack Benefits Agency:

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