Silicon Valley Guy
Bret Waters
I’ve been in Silicon Valley my whole life (mostly because the fish tacos here are excellent). Today I teach entrepreneurship at Stanford and am involved with two startup accelerators: Miller Center for Global Impact (for social ventures) and StartX (for Stanford founders). I also do private 1:1 coaching for startup founders.
Previously, I was Founder/CEO of three Silicon Valley software companies, spent six years on the advisory board of the Stanford University Graduate School of Education, was interim CEO at Stanford New Schools, and have served as Chief Mentor with the European Innovation Academy. I received my MBA from the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University (great school, mediocre fish tacos).
Upcoming:
Bret’s Classes, Talks, and Events:
Workshops and events for startup founders, innovators, and venture investors.
Saturdays, November 21 or February 6, Noon to 5:00 pm, Silicon Valley
Storytelling, Pitching & Presenting: A Half-Day Workshop
Telling a story that inspires action is an essential skill for startup founders (and leaders of all kinds). In this half-day workshop we’ll work on improving your ability to tell a crisp, clear, and compelling story about what you’re working on and why it matters.
Find out more →Stanford Continuing Studies
BUS-217: Accelerate your Startup Idea, on campus at Stanford University.
My flagship course covers the process of getting from a startup idea to a launched and funded venture. The 8-weeks culminate in a “pitch night,” where students can present to Silicon Valley executives and investors for feedback and coaching.
Find out more →Friday–Saturday, January 29–30, Half Moon Bay, California
Product Design Strategy Retreat
Two days on the California coast immersed with startup founders and product executives. The topic: designing and developing successful products in the AI era. This 2-day retreat will be co-led by me and Sinem Ergunay (formerly at Apple and Google; Adjunct Professor at Parsons School of Design in NY).
Find out more →Executive Coaching.
Private 1:1 Coaching
I take on a few select startup founders for 1:1 coaching. We have weekly calls, working together to achieve your goals. Contact me to discuss cost and structure.
Email me to discuss →
The Launch Path
Getting from a Startup Idea to a Launch-Ready Venture
My new book is for anyone who wants to follow an effective and efficient path from a startup idea to a launch-ready, funding-ready venture.
Whether your goal is launching the next billion-dollar tech "unicorn," a rock-solid mid-sized business, or a social venture focused on global impact, The Launch Path will help to get you there safely and successfully. The book comes with a companion website that has additional resources and tools for entrepreneurs and innovators.
Speaking
Custom Talks
I've delivered lectures at more than 20 university business schools all over the world as well as startup accelerators in Europe and Latin America. I've also done talks for various groups and conducted 2-day corporate innovation workshops for leading brands.
Topics Include:
Connect.
I’m easy to find.
My username on all the socials is simply bretwaters.
Or you can email me as bretwaters at gmail.
I’m also easy to subscribe to.
I write a weekly email missive for entrepreneurs, innovators, and investors.
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