The document provides advice from a technology mentor on starting and growing a global company from a novel tech idea. It outlines key steps and considerations including validating the problem being solved, developing a value proposition, protecting intellectual property, executing on the idea, generating revenue, and obtaining funding. The mentor emphasizes the importance of passion, risk-taking, customer validation in other countries, and having the right legal support for fundraising. The summary concludes global success may be achieved through ongoing product sales, marketing, funding rounds, and eventually exiting the company.

1. From a Tech Idea to a
Global meaningful
company
how tech people with a novel idea can
start and grow a global company!
A Mentor’s view
Sotiris Karagiannis
Information Technology Expert,
Startup Mentor (a)
Twitter: @skaragiannis
Linkedin: http://linkedin.com/in/karagiannis

2. Who am I ? A Tech Visionary ?
with a life timeline full of changes between Passion, Innovation, Entrepreneurship
1970’s Moon, Robot Toys, Air Models, Electronics, Boards, Mini Computers, Games
1980’s
2000
1980’s Computers, Uni (Applied Math), Software, Artificial Intelligence Edinburgh
1990’s
..1990’s ISP in N. Greece, Internet Software, Web Apps, Infrastructure, Cloud ,Future?

3. Why be a mentor now?
 My path was full of changes in a continuous search
for knowledge, innovation, entrepreneurship and
real market value in the ICT industry (help
businesses succeed)
 I NEVER stopped LOVING what I did (passion) 
 I was many times a self starter (a Serial
Entrepreneur) and I was never settled. I failed
many times.
 I had mentors myself and I listened to them.
 We now live in a different world.
 Startups are “cool”, but are they easy? Can I help?

4. Going to a global War:
The Basics
 So you think you’re an entrepreneur ?
 Why are you there (desire or fear)?
 Which problem are you solving?
 Are you afraid of failure?
 Do you take risks (calculated or other)?
 Do you want to change the World ?

5. A Tech Idea! Is it enough?
 You are solving a (global) problem
 You know what it takes to solve it
 You wish to try and don’t mind to fail
 You think that your life is depending on it
 Is it going to change the world?

6. Q: “Why should anyone care” ?
A question people hate
 What is your value proposition ?
 What is your competition (globally)?
 Have you got “IP protection”?
 Can you execute (idea -> action) ?
 Does it Monetize ? (money talk)
 Do customers care ? (metrics)

7. Q: “Have you thought about ..” ?
 Being a Sole Founder / cofounders?
 The location : Greece or US ?
 Funding ? How much do you need ?
 Your secret sauce!! You sure have one. Don’t
you?
 The old type Business Plan?
Better have a 3 Year Budget/quick B.Plan

8. So you wanna do Fundraising?
 You sure have Customer Validation, no?
 You got Pilots / Commitments in EN speaking
countries?
 You thought about Shares / Equity / Advisors etc
 You have good legal support!!
That’s why Mentoring is useful
here

9. OK. Ready to take Off ?
 Product sales, sales, sales … growth !
 Marketing, brand establishment
 Continuous funding rounds >> fill me up
 Global Success
 Exit Plan !!!
Companies are bought !!

10. “The People Who Are Crazy Enough to Think They Can Change the
World, Are the Ones Who Do!” - Steve Jobs
Some final advice …
Make more effort than
is expected of you.
Adapt to the rapid
changes
Think BUSINESS !!
Stay Hungry Stay Foolish

11. Thank You !!
Skar.gr@gmail.com
Linkedin.com/in/karagiannis
@skaragiannis