Raising Venture Capital – Show Me the Money!

In this talk, Captain Hoff goes deep on exactly how to raise venture capital. Discover what it takes to wow investors. Find out what not to do during a pitch. And learn how to close seemingly impossible deals.

• What are investors looking for?
• What business models do VCs like?
• Where are the best investors hiding?
• What to avoid saying to investors?
• How do you value your startup?
• How can you raise capital with no traction?
• How do you pick the right investors?
• How do you negotiate the best deal?   Read more...

K-Startup Grand Challenge 2019


K-Startup Grand Challenge was established with the goal of promoting the expansion of an open entrepreneurship ecosystem in Asia and assisting in South Korea’s evolution into a prominent startup business hub in the region, and this year marks the 4th year. The program invites startups with creative and innovative ideas from all around the world to Korea and helps them to settle in the Korean startup ecosystem through various support programs. The application deadline is June 14th 13:00 GMT +9.   Read more...

Startup Minds – Building a Billion Dollar Business

In this talk, Captain Hoff will reveal the secrets of Silicon Valley and how the top entrepreneurs overcome obstacles and change the world. How do you deliver what it takes to launch a successful startup? What type of team do you need? How do you prepare? What mistakes do startups make? To succeed, you must have all the right elements. Your startup must understand how to innovate, lead the market, and beat out competitors.   Read more...

Management Advice: Do Nice Guys Finish Last?

My friend has a startup, and he hired someone to help him boost sales. When we talked a year ago, he told me that his sales guy wasn’t closing deals.

I told him that it was probably time to let the person go. But my friend is such a nice guy that he gave the guy a second chance, then a third chance, and even a fourth chance.   Read more...

Shanghai Startup Scene is Amazing

Met some incredible startups in Shanghai this week. Their products include healthcare robots, firefighting drones, autonomous vehicles, methanol powered engines, AR publishing tools, cancer cures, and next-gen digital wallets. These companies are leading the way forward, and we plan to take them global.

Startup Conference 2019 on June 17


Startup Conference and International Startup Fair
June 17, 2019 10am – 5pm
Computer History Museum, Mountain View

Founder Space is a supporting organization of Startup Conference 2019. The Startup Conference is one of the larger conferences in Silicon Valley for starting your startup, learning how to pitch VCs, find co-founders, launch your product to the press, reach early adopters and influencers.

Past conference speakers include Guy Kawasaki, Drew Houston, Ben Parr and many more entrepreneurs and VCs.   Read more...

TIME Best Inventions 2019 Accepting Submissions


TIME has officially opened the submission process for our 2019 edition of Best Inventions.

This annual list is dedicated to recognizing the Best Inventions making the world better, smarter, and even a bit more fun—everything from diet-friendly ice cream to groundbreaking gadgets. It’s also one of TIME’s biggest editorial franchises, garnering some 250 million media impressions each year, in addition to coverage in TIME Magazine (18 million weekly readers) and on TIME.com (32.5 million monthly unique visitors).   Read more...

PODCAST: From Hollywood to Silicon Valley to China by Brendan Davis (If I Knew You Better)

Millions of people in the tech & startup world know Steve Hoffman as “Captain Hoff” from Founders Space, a leading incubator from Silicon Valley that is now omnipresent throughout China. But very few people know that his FIRST career was as a development executive in Hollywood, and this is the first time Steve’s talked about all this in-depth since beginning his China adventures. The lessons he’s learned from his success shaping startups & stories are invaluable, & applicable regardless of your vocation or location.   Read more...

Altair Wireless Charging Stand by Bezalel

Just got an Altair Wireless Charging Stand from Bezalel, and it’s transformative. No more fumbling with cables. Now it’s effortless to charge your phone. I can’t tell you what a psychological difference this makes. And it’s so inexpensive.

The best part is the design. Very sleek and beautiful.

Before you rush out and buy one, make sure you have a Qi‑enabled smartphone. This includes the iPhone XS, XS Max, XR, Samsung, Pixel 3, and many other phones.

Founders Space Team!

Founders Space wouldn’t be expanding without such a fantastic team and partners all over the world! I owe our success to their hard work and great kindness. They are like family to me.

Thanks,
Captain Hoff

The Secrets of Growth Hacking, Analytics & Guerrilla Marketing

Growth Hacking – The Science of Customer Acquisition

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Top 20 Coworking Spaces & Shared Offices in Silicon Valley & San Francisco

There are plenty of great co-working spaces in San Francisco and Silicon Valley. Here’s a list of the top ones:

Founders Space
https://www.foundersspace.com/coworking/

Spaces
spacesworks.com

SOMAcentral
http://somacentral.com/

Galvanize
http://www.galvanize.com/

Impact Hub
http://www.sanfrancisco.impacthub.net/

Werqwise
https://werqwise.com/

Sandbox Suites
http://www.sandboxsuites.com/

Taqueria Trabajo
http://www.taqueriatrabajo.com/

Makeshift Society
http://www.makeshiftsociety.com/

Spherepad
http://www.spherepad.co/

Shared
http://www.shared-sf.com/

Workshop Cafe
http://www.workshopcafe.com/

Co-Spot
http://www.co-spot.com/

The Vault
https://thevault.co/

RocketSpace
http://www.rocketspace.com/

Nomad-a-What
http://www.nomadawhat.com/

ConnectionsSF
http://www.connectionssf.com/   Read more...

Digitalization in the Built Environment on May 15, 2019


With new technologies including drones, autonomous equipments, IoT, collaboration softwares, AR/VR as well as 3D printing revolutionizing the Construction industry, Paris Region Entreprises is hosting a TechMeeting in San Francisco on Construction and Real Estate. Join the TechMeeting and enjoy the great line-up of speakers and startup pitches followed by networking cocktail.

You can find more information and register here. Use promo code GUESTBUILT for 50% discount.

JHTC: Future of Transportation, May 14, 2019


Changes in the way people and goods are transported are happening at a rapidly growing pace, from electric and autonomous vehicles to delivery drones. We are entering a new era of transportation. California Governor Jerry Brown has set a target in the state for 5 million electric vehicles on our roadways by 2030 – that’s an almost 900% growth rate from where we are today. Furthermore, all major automakers have allocated significant funding to the development of self-driving vehicle technology and many have targets to reach some level of autonomy by the early 2020s. With significant changes in our mobility patterns and increased complexity in the technology, the transportation industry is undergoing a transformation. This session will ask their panelists: What is the future of transportation? Is it realistic? How will these new trends affect how we interact with the world around us? What are some of the advantages and perhaps, challenges to these changing trends?   Read more...

Looking for a Talented Computer Science Intern?

Anyone looking for a really talented Computer Science intern this summer?

If so, contact us!

Captain Hoff

Inspired by Failure Podcast

Listen to the Inspired by Failure podcast with Michi Yamamoto. If you are a startup founder and would like to appear on the show, just contact Michi on his YouTube Channel.

Listen Now to the Podcast!

EuroCruise 2019 on May 9


Enjoy a sunset cruise on the Bay celebrating Europe Day 2019.

The European-American business organizations of the Bay Area cordially invite you to celebrate Europe Day 2019 on May 9th. This networking cruise will promote and connect values, people and businesses from the Bay Area and Europe. Enjoy a glass of champagne, music and delicious appetizers and network with the most prominent members of the European business community while looking at beautiful sunset views.   Read more...

Founders Space is Rolling Across Asia!

Founders Space is rolling across Asia:

★ We just ran successful innovation and entrepreneurship programs in Beijing, Shenzhen, Xi’an, and Shanghai. We have more coming in South Korea, Taipei, and Singapore.

★ We’re planning to open up new incubators in Dongguan, Hangzhou, Shanghai, and Hefei.

★ We are in talks with two of the biggest real estate companies in the world about expansion plans.   Read more...

Why is 996 a Really Bad Idea?

I do lots of business in China, and I can tell you, most Chinese work 996, which means from 9 am to 9 pm six days a week. Many employees are compelled to work 997. And people in the tech industry often work even longer hours. Mike Moritz, the famous VC from Sequoia Capital, said US workers should do the same, but I totally disagree.   Read more...

Startup World Cup 2019 Grand Finale on May 17


Startup World Cup is a global event where startups from around the world will be coming to San Francisco to battle for a US$1,000,000 grand prize in investment.

Startup World Cup is partnering with some of world’s largest conferences and tech events to host 40+ regional startup competitions across 6 continents – North America, South America, Europe, Africa, Asia, and Oceania. The goal of Startup World Cup is to create innovation and entrepreneurship opportunities for startup ecosystems all over the world. Entrepreneurs from many different countries will be able to use the Startup World Cup platform to build great companies and improve the possibilities for themselves.   Read more...