BONUS: Building Agile Startups with Nick Hughes of Founders Live
BONUS: Building Agile Startups with Nick Hughes of Founders Live Welcome, Agile friends! In this episode, I had the pleasure of sitting down with Nick Hughes, the founder of Founders Live, a global startup community now operating in more than 100 cities and 50 countries. Our conversation explored what it really takes to build a business and how the principles of agility can help entrepreneurs adapt, iterate, and thrive. If you’ve ever wondered how to sharpen your message, build resilience in the face of setbacks, and foster meaningful connections in the startup world, this episode is for you! The Birth of Founders Live “Test, learn, iterate, and grow. That’s how I built Founders Live.” Nick’s story began over 10 years ago when he noticed something missing in the entrepreneurial world—a supportive community where early-stage founders could connect, learn, and grow together. As a founder himself, he knew firsthand how isolating the startup journey could be. He decided to experiment with an idea, and it worked. Founders Live has since become a thriving global movement where entrepreneurs pitch their ideas, connect with like-minded people, and celebrate innovation in an engaging, fun atmosphere. Each Founders Live event follows a simple but powerful format: five founders deliver 99-second pitches, followed by four minutes of audience Q&A. Then, the crowd votes on the winner. Add some networking, food, and drinks, and you’ve got a recipe for an unforgettable experience! The takeaway here? Test small, see what works, and refine from there. The Power of a 99-Second Pitch “It’s not easy to create your 99-second pitch. But that time frame forces founders to really think: What is my message?” Nick’s 99-second pitch format is more than a clever gimmick—it’s a forcing function for founders to get crystal clear about their message. In a short window of time, founders must distill their big idea into something precise, engaging, and impactful. Many founders tell Nick that while it’s nerve-wracking at first, they walk away feeling more confident and impressed with their own ability to communicate under pressure. It’s not just about pitching—it’s about building communication agility and clarity of purpose. Why Networking and Mentorship Matter “If you figure out ways to help people and open doors for them, it comes back to you tenfold.” One of the most valuable aspects of Founders Live is its emphasis on connection. Nick shared that many of the most successful founders he knows have built networks by being generous—by “opening doors” for others. Whether it’s offering advice, making introductions, or helping someone troubleshoot a challenge, those who give tend to receive tenfold in return. His advice for founders? Show up, participate, and look for ways to add value to your community. Authenticity and generosity go a long way in building strong relationships that will support your growth. Embracing Agility and Resilience “Agility is looking at things as experiments—identify what works, keep that, and stop what isn’t working.” We also dove into the mindset that helps founders bounce back from setbacks. For Nick, agility means viewing everything as an experiment. When things don’t go as planned, the question isn’t “Why did this happen to me?” but rather “What can I learn from this, and how can I adjust?” Successful founders are constantly iterating—testing, learning, and evolving. The entrepreneurial journey isn’t a straight line; it’s a cycle of experimentation and improvement. Agility doesn’t just happen in the product—it starts with how you frame your challenges and your willingness to pivot when needed. Common Misconceptions About Entrepreneurship “We all want creators in the world, but it’s a tough road. You need to build something that adds value before pitching it.” According to Nick, many first-time founders enter the startup world with unrealistic expectations. Building a business isn’t just about pitching your idea to investors—it’s about creating something valuable, getting traction, and proving adoption first. If you don’t have traction or proof points, you’re burning bridges by pitching too early. His advice? Focus on solving real problems and showing early growth before you seek funding. When you walk into the room with evidence that people love your product, your pitch becomes much stronger—and much harder to ignore. Intrapreneurship: Innovating Inside Larger Companies Not every entrepreneur is working outside the corporate world—some are internal innovators looking to make a difference within their organizations. For those intrapreneurs, Nick had some great advice: define your opportunity clearly, understand your company’s risk tolerance, and align your goals with measurable outcomes. If you want to pitch new ideas inside a company, start by identifying what success would look like and communicating that vision effectively. Intrapreneurship thrives when there’s clarity around expectations and potential rewards. Nick’s Resource Recommendation When I asked Nick for a resource recommendation, he shared the book “The Second Mountain: The Quest for a Moral Life” by David Brooks. It’s an inspiring read about finding purpose and meaning by building something bigger than yourself—a fitting message for entrepreneurs seeking to create meaningful impact. We closed with Nick’s final piece of advice: “Test, learn, iterate, and grow. That’s how I built Founders Live.” This simple but powerful mantra reminds us that agility isn’t just a process—it’s a mindset. Whether you’re launching your own startup or driving innovation within a larger organization, success comes from being open to experimentation and continuous improvement. About Nick Hughes Nick Hughes is the founder of Founders Live, a global community and event platform for entrepreneurs, now active in over 100 cities across 50 countries. With a background in founding companies, Nick created Founders Live to foster connection, mentorship, and growth for startups worldwide. To learn more about Nick and Founders Live, visit FoundersLive.com or connect with Nick Hughes on LinkedIn.
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