This article was originally published on August 3, 2020 at https://gritdaily.com/monday-motivation-entrepreneurs/ Monday motivation, we need it, stat! That sunshine is tempting us. The beach waves are calling us. Working on a startup that’s slumping in the wake of COVID, how do we find the motivation to keep going? Grit Daily is here to get your work week off to a good start. Pump your fists – it’s time for Monday motivation! “You’ve got to get up every morning with determina

This article was originally published on February 17, 2020 at https://tienj.startuptribes.co/blog/4/tune-out-the-noise We've all heard the powerful speech by Dr. Martin Luther King. Admittedly, his words were delivered in the context of a higher order vision intended to transcend and transform all of humanity. As founders, we're generally aiming for something much humbler. And, we should remain humble but that's a topic for another blog... Dr. King's memorable, "I have a dre

This article was originally published on February 13, 2020 at https://gritdaily.com/nj-tech-techlaunch-bullpen-16/ For people that live on “the other” side of the Hudson River, there’s always a bit of “me versus them” in reference to anything going on in the city when contrasted to the efforts within the Garden State. Make no mistake, the New Jersey startup tech scene is growing. Broader angel investor tax incentives announced by NJ Governor Phil Murphy plus increased access

This article was originally published on December 27, 2019 at https://gritdaily.com/ces2020-preview-embr-labs/ EMBR Labs is an MIT success story. Its founders, Sam Shames, David Cohen-Tanugi, and Matt Smith, are all MIT graduates. Shames graduated in 2014, Smith completed his PhD in 2012 and Cohen-Tanugi completed his PhD in 2015. The trio incorporated the company in 2014 after winning the MADMEC contest the year before pitching “Wristify,” a personal thermostat that you wea

This article was first published on December 5, 2019 at https://gritdaily.com/startup-advisory-board/ Over the past few months, there have been numerous pitch contests. Each one offers startups the opportunity to learn through the mistakes – and successes – of other entrepreneurs who have made a pitch. Although there are numerous tips offered related to the pitch itself, one aspect appears to be routinely overlooked: an Advisory Board. Prospective investors on the receiving

This article was originally published on November 20, 2019 at https://gritdaily.com/startups-coaching-business/ For some of us, the idea of leaving a comfortable, reasonably stable corporate job to venture out on our own is terrifying. For others, the idea of starting up a consulting or coaching practice with a few peers is exhilarating. Whichever group you’re in doesn’t necessarily equate with being in that group forever. As you evolve and as your interests and needs change

This article was originally published on November 14, 2019 at https://gritdaily.com/venture-capital-jennifer-neundorfer/ The ASCENT conference featured a diverse collection of panelists. Event organizers appear to have finally gotten the memo that speakers and panelists need to mirror the people in the field and in the audience. Female investors and women in tech were particularly well represented. Grit Daily caught up with the savvy founder of Jane VC, Jennifer Neundorfer.

This article was originally published on October 3, 2019 at https://gritdaily.com/women-in-tech-propelify-2019/ A FOCUS ON WOMEN IN TECH Oh, what a difference a day makes! Yesterday was a sunny, 89°F day in New Jersey. Today, here we are, hovering around 50°F in the rain and fog on the pier in Hoboken, NJ. Had an entrepreneur selected today to sell umbrellas, rain ponchos, and wellies, s/he or they would have made a killing. The weather and mud did not stop those who were de