Got a dream? Get up early

If you are dreaming of a business idea, one of the ways to get a kick start as a high tech entrepreneur is to get up early.

At the KickStart for Startups conference in Sydney last week, during a panel session on building the team, AAPT’s group director of business management Richard Vincent revealed that he’s a 5am starter.

Vincent, an ex-Hewlett-Packard staffer, told a gathering of several hundred high tech entrepreneurs that he applies the ‘MBWA principle’ of management by walking around. “Although these days, it’s management by running around,” he added.

Vincent emphasised balance though, and conceded that, with the early start, anyone looking for a decision from him about anything important after about 4.30pm can expect to wait until the morning.

The power session on team building was moderated by TiNSHED CEO Janusz Hooker, and as well as Vincent, included ninemsn CEO Steve Vamos, Davnet CEO Jason Ashton, and JSP Associates/ITP Worldwide Executive Search principal Frank Cooper.

By bringing a piece of Silicon Valley culture to Australia, organisers are expecting some of the next batch of technology startups to spring from the event.

Besides putting together a team, other topics covered included pitching to venture capitalists (including angels), networking, venture capital myths, going public and gaining publicity.

TiNSHED Angels group is described as Australia’s first high-tech angel investment group. According to TiNSHED, the group provides ventures from the Internet, media and telecommunications industries with “early stage capital ($0.5-3.0M), contacts and experience”.