Innovation Conversation: Entrepreneurship, Startup Ecosystems, and Mental Toughness with Dr. Jeff Standridge
In this episode of Innovation Conversation, host Ricardo Pascual sits down with Dr. Jeff Standridge, innovation consultant, executive coach, and author, to discuss key insights on building startups, fostering innovation, and developing the mindset of top performers.
They dive into:
- How to assess startup success and understand cultural differences in business.
- Investment criteria and what makes a startup attractive to investors.
- Why failure is a critical part of the entrepreneurial journey.
- Building thriving startup ecosystems outside traditional tech hubs.
- The role of government support and incentives in fostering innovation.
- Strategies for developing mental toughness and resilience as a founder.
- How flying has sharpened Jeffβs focus and improved his work-life balance.
Tune in for valuable lessons on entrepreneurship, innovation, leadership, and navigating the challenges of scaling businesses in competitive markets.
Brought to you by Startup Summit 2025 β Europeβs leading startup and investor summit, happening September 18β19, 2025, in Lisbon.
ποΈ Learn more and secure your spot at www.startupsummit.io
π Chapters 00:00 β Introduction and Background of Dr. Jeff Standridge 02:15 β Assessing Startup Success and Cultural Differences in Business 06:27 β Investing in Startups and Criteria for Investment 08:56 β Writing Books on Innovation, Top Performers, and Startup Ecosystems 12:14 β Developing Habits and Behaviors for Success 14:35 β Creating Startup Ecosystems in Unexpected Places 16:40 β Managing Natural-Born Innovators and Fostering Innovation 18:31 β Navigating Failure and Making Investment Decisions 21:52 β Government Support and Incentives for Innovation 24:36 β Considerations for European Startups Expanding to the US 27:35 β Investment Trends and Challenges in the US and Europe 30:08 β Maintaining Mental Toughness and Resilience 33:26 β Time Management and the Benefits of Flying 35:21 β Applying Aviation Principles to Prioritize and Focus 38:29 β Connecting with Dr. Jeff Standridge for Further Insights