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Interview: DEMO’s Chris Shipley gets Jazzed by European Early-Stage Companies
Chris Shipley gets jazzed by significant technical innovations that simplify and enhance the lives of corporate, mobile and personal users. And now when her tenure at DEMO comes to an end, in her new role at Guidewire Group, she will get jazzed by the early-stage companies that she will work with as they navigate the challenges of growth and transition. The NextWomen interviewed Chris recently about DEMO, European (female) Startups and their launch in the US.
What’s your experience of organizing DEMO, the Highs and lows of DEMO events?
I’ve been very fortunate to be engaged with DEMO as a demonstrator, first, then attendee, and now executive producer for the last 13 years. I’ll be passing that last role to Matt Marshall, founder of VentureBeat later this year, but am doing so after a long and good tenure working with companies of all sizes to help them launch their products.
Always, the very best part of organizing DEMO has been engaging with so many entrepreneurs at such a critical time in their company’s life: just as they are to introduce their first product. DEMO isn’t a passive platform; instead, the entire organization actively engages with companies to promote their success. That care and support of entrepreneurs is something that I hope will be my continuing legacy for DEMO.
Over the past 13 years, we’ve seen both bull and bear markets and no matter which is the case, it remains true that true innovation and smart leadership triumphs over most everything else.
So, in that regard, it’s difficult to identify a “low” of DEMO. The optimism and energy that are the fuel of innovate mean there are many, many more highs than lows.
Why your decision to move to another venture, and leave DEMO in the hands of a new leader?
Thirteen years is a very long time, and I’ve left a strong imprint on the program, I believe. DEMO has given me the opportunity to have intense, but very brief, encounters with startups. I want to be able to engage with companies more deeply and that’s want I’m able to do through Guidewire Group, given the time and focus. Leaving DEMO – and leaving it in good hands – gives me back the time to really focus on the work I love.
What’s your experience in this new venture?
Guidewire Group is now five years old and we’ve had the opportunity to create and test a number for programs. We’re very confident that our best work is the work we do with early-stage companies as they navigate the challenges of growth and transition. We know we can help companies make smarter decisions and implement them more quickly, and to do both through the lens of the entrepreneur. That acceleration is tremendously valuable, and because we align with our clients’ interests, we’re confident that we can deliver that value more cost effectively than any other analyst services firm.
What is the main reason why European companies would launch in the US?
The Americas remain the richest consumer of information technology in the Western world. While the US is a tremendously competitive market, it is also one rife with opportunity.
Any European company that wants to be a truly global player must have a strategy for expansion and exploitation of the US market.
What are the most successful launches of such companies in the US?
Certainly, one would look to companies such as Business Logics, Autonomy, or mySQL as great examples. But many, many other European companies have found success in the US. There’s really not just one formula for success here.
Which ones could have done better and why?
For as many success stories there are 2 or 3 “failure” stories and as many reasons why they were not successful. If there is commonality to those stories, tough, it is that the companies didn’t really commit to being in the US market.
Just as a US company can’t fly into the UK or France, try to get some deals done, and go home again, neither can a European company expect to be successful in the US without fully engaging with the US market.
It’s just far more competitive here. Customers have more options. So European companies have to be full citizens of the US ecosystem if they expect to be successful here.
What do you think of the status of the European startup culture?
The European startup ecosystem has become more vibrant and more productive in the past 5 years than in the 20 years prior. Globalization, collaboration, and low-cost and rapid information flows have been central in that acceleration. These communities will only become more engaged on a global scale and that will drive innovation everywhere.
What can Europeans learn from US startup culture and vice versa?
Generally, entrepreneurs are the most remarkable collaborators. In my experience, successful entrepreneurs eagerly share their experiences and advice with those who are just starting on that path. So, the direct answer to your question is “anything and everything.” The collaboration between US and European entrepreneurs can only enrich everyone’s experience.
What can European women led companies earn from US startup culture of women led companies and vice versa?
There are still far too few women who take the path of technology entrepreneur. No doubt there are many subtle and obvious reasons for that path.
I think at base, though, the best thing women entrepreneurs can do for each other is to challenge them to perform at exceptionally high standards, to create businesses with meaning and impact.
If women drive women to be the best entrepreneurs they can be, supporting their unique talents and limitations, then I do think we’ll see more women choose the path of startup CEO.
What’s your view on the competition in the US among startups?
Startups don’t compete with each other so much as with larger market drivers. In most cases, startups are pushing into new territory and it’s better to do that as collaborators than as competitors.
Which are the do’s and dont’s of European startups to launch in the Valley (or New York? or rest of the US?)
Now that’s a question for an entire business school seminar. The key, overall, is to be in the Valley (or the US) to engage directly with the customer base, to be committed to serve those customers, and to bring together the right leadership to serve those customers well.
Innovate!Europe’s Trade Mission to Silicon Valley from 9th June 2009 -12th June is a one-of-a-kind experience that will introduce European companies to the people and places that make Silicon Valley such a vibrant place for technology innovation and entrepreneurship. From group networking activities to private meetings with potential partners and investors, important connections are to be made to help entrepreneurs accelerate their global expansion.
See for more information the website.
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