20VC: Why More People Should Be Entrepreneurs & How Do You Know When You Are Ready with Matt Clifford @ Entrepreneur First

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The Twenty Minute VC

Finance, Venturecapital, Tech News, News, Siliconvalley, Technology, Investing, Startups, Business

4.4 • 637 Ratings

🗓️ 11 May 2016

⏱️ 27 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

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Summary

Matt Clifford is co-founder and CEO of Entrepreneur First, Europe's leading pre-seed investment programme for founders of deep technology startups. Founded in 2011, EF backs the world's top technical talent pre-company. EF's startups have raised over $100m in funding and are breaking ground in artificial intelligence, robotics and infrastructure, among other fields. Outside EF, he is co-founder and non-executive director of Code First Girls and non-executive director of Techfortrade. Before starting EF, Matt worked at McKinsey & Co. as a strategy consultant, and studied at the University of Cambridge and at MIT.

In Today’s Episode You Will Learn:

1.) How did Matt come to found the world's top technical talent pre-company programme?

2.) Should everyone be an entrepreneur? How can a founder determine whether this is the right path for them? Can entrepreneurialism be taught or is it an innate skill within?

3.) What does Matt think of the idea and fear of many founders that they are simply not ready? How do we know when one is ready? What are the signs?

4.) How important is mindset for founders? Matt has previously stated the importance of a growth mindset? What does he mean by this and how does he advise founders to approach this?

5.) What is the most common mistake Matt sees entrepreneurs in EF make? How does he help to combat this?

6.) What does the future of work look like? Where will jobs be at this century?

Items Mentioned In Today’s Episode:

Matt's Fave Book: Sapiens (Same as Parker Thompson @ AngelList)

Matt's Fave Blog: Marginal Revolution

Matt's Most Recent Investment: Cloud NC, Third Eye

As always you can follow The Twenty Minute VC, Harry and Matt on Twitter here!

If you would like to see a more colourful side to Harry with many a mojito session, you can follow him on Instagram here!

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Transcript

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0:00.0	We are back with another episode of the 20 minute VC. I'm your host, Harry Stebbings, and for all of those that have not, add me on Snapchat at H. Stebbings for Raucus VC debates, masterclass mehito making and startup valuation analysis.
0:14.1	However, on with the show today, and I'm thrilled to welcome Matt Clifford, founder and CEO at Entrepreneur First, Europe's leading pre-seed investment program
0:22.7	for founders of deep tech startups. Founded in 2011, Entrepreneur First pioneered a world-first
0:29.2	investment model, which backs the world's top technical talent pre-company. And at Entrepreneur First
0:34.9	startups have raised over $100 million of external funding and a breaking
0:39.3	ground in artificial intelligence, robotics and infrastructure, among other fields. And before starting
0:44.8	at Entrepreneur First, Matt worked at McKinsey as a strategy consultant and studied at the likes
0:49.8	of Cambridge and MIT. And I have to say, Entrepreneur first really are my top pick for accelerators.
0:55.8	I'm so impressed as all they've achieved and cannot wait to see their portfolio companies.
0:59.9	However, before we jump into the show today, remember, we are starting each sponsor segment with a
1:04.6	Did You Know? So today's Did You Know is, did you know, is, did you know, the average person wakes up six times a night?
1:12.4	Well, I can guarantee you, you will not do that if you have a Lisa mattress, as they are expertly crafted with three distinct
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1:43.1	to ensure the match is perfect for you.
1:45.6	So get yours now by heading over to lisa.com forward slash VC.
1:49.3	That's L-E-E-S-A.com forward slash VC, and enter the promo code VC-75 at checkout for an incredible $75 off.
1:57.0	I must also suggest Mattermark daily curated by the wonderful Nick Frost at Mattermark,
2:02.8	really is the best place for startup and VC articles every day. However, back to the show today,
	...

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