SURGE Energy Software Blog

One of SURGE's lead mentors, an incredibly successful entrepreneur and executive (which is rare), recently made the assertion, "treat your employees like family …" I say amen to that school of thought.  But as we all know, each family, and its treatment of its individual members, varies from family to family. So allow me some time to explain the SURGE family and our family code.

This topic of building a world-class startup culture has been filling my brain for weeks now. Over the past few days, SURGE has been discussing Ben Horowitz's thoughts about why and how Andreessen Horowitz has been successful raising almost $3B in 3 years. Ben and his partners exhibited character traits and beliefs that have attracted founders and investors willing to trust their company, future and fortunes into their care. 

The Internet of Things. For the tech savvy, this is basically colloquial language.

We are in the home stretch of discussing three steps for building a world class startup culture.

In my last blog, I introduced the concept of building a world class culture in three steps whether you are a cleantech, cleanweb, energy software or any startup:

I will begin by outlining the three steps to building this world class culture of which I believe is imperative to success.

"We must look back in history to understand our energy problem. Twice in the last several hundred years there has been a transition in the way people use energy. The first was about 200 years ago, away from wood -- which had provided about 90 percent of all fuel -- to coal, which was more efficient. This change became the basis of the Industrial Revolution. The second change took place in this century, with the growing use of oil and natural gas. They were more convenient and cheaper than coal, and the supply seemed to be almost without limit. They made possible the age of automobile and airplane travel. Nearly everyone who is alive today grew up during this age and we have never known anything different. Because we are now running out of gas and oil, we must prepare quickly for a third change..." Jimmy Carter, 1977

SURGE Accelerator, based in Houston was founded by leading energy industry executives, venture capitalists, angel investors, potential pilot companies and successful entrepreneurs. SURGE kicked off its inaugural spring 2012 class in early January. 

“What do you do for a living?”

Do you think like an owner or an employee? Your company's success may be directly related. I read the latest Venture Hacks blog on 6 year vesting schedule and felt inspired to share my thoughts.