Success of Software Success of Software Entrepreneurs in Entrepreneurs in

PittsburghPittsburgh

Joe TomlinKanika DuaAndreas RindlerRajiv SaxenaColleen LiTing ShihMindy ColumbusChris Lin

AgendaAgenda

• Profile of an EntrepreneurProfile of an Entrepreneur• Catalysts for SuccessCatalysts for Success• Impediments/encouragements to Impediments/encouragements to

entrepreneurship in Pittsburghentrepreneurship in Pittsburgh• Growth PathGrowth Path• Lessons LearnedLessons Learned

Pittsburgh EntrepreneursPittsburgh Entrepreneurs

Scott Cravencs|enlign

Evan IndianerIndianer Computer Corp.

Henry ThorneAethon, Inc.

Thomas EmersonDonald H. Jones Center for Entrepreneurship

What makes an What makes an entrepreneur?entrepreneur?

• Live and breathe workLive and breathe work

• Willingness to embrace riskWillingness to embrace risk

• Constant Change/ImprovementConstant Change/Improvement

• Burning desire to excelBurning desire to excel

• Courage, persistenceCourage, persistence

• Common sense business decisionsCommon sense business decisions

Scott Craven

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What were the catalysts for What were the catalysts for success?success?

• Real customers, real needsReal customers, real needs

• Be the first to do itBe the first to do it

• Universal solutionUniversal solution

• Business TeamBusiness Team

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Evan Indianer

Impediments to business in PittsburghImpediments to business in Pittsburgh

• Parochial AtmosphereParochial Atmosphere

• Unfavorable tax structureUnfavorable tax structure

• Retaining talentRetaining talent

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Evan Indianer

Encouragements for business in Encouragements for business in PittsburghPittsburgh

• Parochial Atmosphere Parochial Atmosphere (yes, it’s both!)(yes, it’s both!)

• Unique initiativesUnique initiatives

• Abundance of talent and technical Abundance of talent and technical expertiseexpertise

GrowthGrowth

• NetworkingNetworking• Word of mouthWord of mouth• Good support structureGood support structure• Attention to profit & lossAttention to profit & loss

““If you’re not growing, you’re dying” – If you’re not growing, you’re dying” – Evan Evan Indianer Indianer

Lessons LearnedLessons Learned

• Not everyone is an entrepreneurNot everyone is an entrepreneur

• Manage variability and achieve cost-savings by Manage variability and achieve cost-savings by contractingcontracting

• Technology is a tool, focus on the customerTechnology is a tool, focus on the customer

• Listen to your environmentListen to your environment

Don’t think that if you have a great idea, you are Don’t think that if you have a great idea, you are entitled to have a great business” – Henry Thorneentitled to have a great business” – Henry Thorne

Q & AQ & A