I was honored to be asked to speak to a crowd of fifty or so last month at Boston’s first-ever FinTech week. 

The main attraction was a presentation on the FinTech Sandbox led by Sarah Biller. She brought much energy and drive to such an important topic.

Sarah and I shared a fantastic Q&A with questions about how FinTech is impacting incumbents. We also offered helpful lessons for startups on running a business. There were many entrepreneurs in the audience who added a lot of energy and excitement to the discussion.

A highlight was a look at how failing often, fast and in small ways helps drive success. Our industry has a hard time with failure, but it’s critical as long as you can avoid failing in such a way that results in your startup being swept away. The entrepreneurs in the audience had some great stories to share about their experiences with failure.

No discussion of startup culture is complete without talking about pivoting and perseverance. Plans and markets change; the key for a startup is to find the right way to grow. Not giving up is what separates successful entrepreneurs from those who struggle.

Cannot wait until next year’s FinTech week. I look forward to the prospect of some of our portfolio companies sharing their experiences to inspire others.

Mark Casady
General Partner Vestigo Ventures