Today we took the Amtrak train to downtown Durham where we visited the American Underground and met with David Jones of Bull City Venture Partners and John Austin of Groundwork Labs. American Underground is "a resource rich environment featuring premier accelerator and incubator programs, a tech training academy, and 10-15 person startups based in Durham’s nationally renowned historic tobacco factory." |
Both venture capitalists told us about their career and advice as to what skills one should have in order to be a successful entrepreneur. Both emphasized the risk of failure as well as the passion and drive needed to fuel your "big idea".
One group actually pitched their idea to David and it was interesting to watch and hear his feedback. It was the first time the group pitched their idea and I thought they did an excellent job identifying the problem and providing a solution. Now they are faced with next steps they will take and the experts they will talk to in the industry.
One group actually pitched their idea to David and it was interesting to watch and hear his feedback. It was the first time the group pitched their idea and I thought they did an excellent job identifying the problem and providing a solution. Now they are faced with next steps they will take and the experts they will talk to in the industry.
David Jones: Bull City Venture Partners
David Jones graduated from University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and currently works for Bull City Venture Partners, BrightContext Corporation and Southern Capitol Ventures. He previously worked at ArtusLabs and served as a Naval Aviator in the US Navy. Bull City Venture Partners is an early-stage technology focused venture capital firm. Their focus is to work with entrepreneurs to build market leading technology companies and take a team approach to venture investing. |
John Austin earned a M.S in computer science from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 1984 and a B.S. in electrical engineering from Valparaiso University in 1977. He has extensive experience with software and hardware startups, and enjoys mentoring young entrepreneurs. Since February, 2011, John has been the Managing Director of Groundwork’s sibling accelerator, Joystick Labs.
Groundwork Labs is a selective, mentor-driven accelerator. They offer their program for free therefore, do not invest or take equity. Their main focus is the success of the entrepreneur. They are based on three core beliefs:
Groundwork Labs is a selective, mentor-driven accelerator. They offer their program for free therefore, do not invest or take equity. Their main focus is the success of the entrepreneur. They are based on three core beliefs:
- Successful entrepreneurs are both born and made
- It takes a community to champion a successful entrepreneur
- Successful technology entrepreneurs will create significant economic benefit for North Carolina