Tech Scenes Unplugged with Brad Feld, Partner at Foundry & Co-founder of Techstars
"The mentor-mentee relationship often evolves into a peer relationship." — Brad Feld, Partner at Foundry and Co-founder of Techstars
In this special Tech Scenes Unplugged episode, Jeff James Martin sits down with Brad Feld, a pioneer in early-stage investing and co-founder of Techstars, to explore the power of mentorship, the philosophy of Give First, and the evolution of entrepreneurship over the last three decades. Brad shares candid insights from his newest book Give First, reflecting on the personal lessons he's learned from mentoring, writing, and navigating both venture capital and community building.
This wide-ranging conversation goes deep on how real mentorship works, why peer relationships matter more than advice, and how founders can unlock compounding impact through generosity and intentional reflection. From Boulder to boardrooms, Brad’s clarity and authenticity make this a must-listen for founders, investors, and anyone passionate about building companies—and better humans.
Takeaways:
Mentorship is most powerful when it becomes a peer relationship.
Shared experiences create trust faster than advice.
Great entrepreneurship is global—not just coastal.
Give First is a philosophy that compounds over time.
Community and connection are at the core of startup success.
Reflection and cadence are underrated skills.
Writing books can unlock deep personal growth.
AI must be approached with nuance and critical thinking.
Mentors don’t need all the answers—they need real experience.
Bigger isn’t always better. Better is better.
Chapters
00:00 The Magic of Mentorship
02:21 Personal Reflections and Gratitude
04:45 The Evolution of Entrepreneurship
07:38 The Role of Mentorship in Startups
10:25 The Importance of Peer Relationships
13:09 The Structure of Effective Mentorship
15:44 The Philosophy of Give First
18:36 Learning Through Teaching
21:03 The Dynamics of Mentorship
23:46 Writing and Reflecting on the Book
26:10 The Balance of Public and Private Life
28:17 The Future of AI and Humanity
31:16 The Importance of Reflection and Cadence
33:41 The Role of Community in Entrepreneurship
36:00 Navigating Life's Challenges
38:53 Final Thoughts on Mentorship and AI
Learn more about the book Peak Teams – Mastering the Habit of Unstoppable Venture-backed Companies
https://a.co/d/hp5Jtnu
Visit Collective Genius™ to Build Your Venture-backed Team with the Peak Operating System™
https://www.collective-genius.com/
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