I think it’s important to recognize how different one startup is from all others. I’ve posted here on this blog about how different startups can be. So I liked reading how they break entrepreneurs into eight different types in The Cheap Revolution post “Entrepreneurial types: quick descriptions and poll.”
I couldn’t find my exact type–escaping boredom and needing the money–in the list, but I suspect that’s a mix of passion maven, expert idea generator and freedom builder.
1. Get Big Fast (Tagline: Scale)
Commentary: I’ve encountered a number of student entrepreneurs who fit this category. Their unbridled enthusiasm and optimism are a double-edged sword.
2. Freedom Builder/Industrialist (Tagline: Creating Value in Emerging Markets)
Commentary: Often approaching a new venture with a been-there, done-that attitude about business, this entrepreneur brings business acumen but sometimes encounters a culture clash as he or she moves from more traditional business settings to the fast-paced technology world.
3. Passion Mavens (Tagline: Change the World)
Commentary: These are usually loving, caring people who are filled with optimism. Oftentimes they need to fill big business gaps like defining a clear value proposition, a go-to-market strategy or a business model.
4. Spice of Lifers (Tagline: Play for Synergy)
Commentary: This entrepreneur seeks a second-career and is often willing to invest evenings and weekends to research, detail and pursue the dream. Often bound by existing time constraints, they usually realize the need for, and seek out, a team that can help them reach their goal.
5. Solopreneur (Tagline: Independence)
Commentary: Independence and balance form the cornerstone of the solopreneurs. They enjoy working with teams, but will keep their distance as a “virtual team member.” They often need help with infrastructure.
6. Expert Idea Generator (Tagline: Immortality through Ideas)
Commentary: The true inventors of the world are driven to create: create to improve, improve to help, help to be remembered. Aspiring to be the next Dean Kamen (Segway) or Thomas Edison, they can work with relentless energy. Oftentimes communication skills present opportunities for optimizing.
7. Freedom Builder/Technologist (Tagline: Believable Growth)
Commentary: These entrepreneurs have typically grown in the cocoon of a corporation until they realize that they have wings. Many times they will seek business degrees just before or immediately upon leaving the corporate world to round out their technical experience.
8. Serious Competitor (Tagline: Play to Win)
Commentary: This group represents the entrepreneur most adored by venture capitalists. They are typically very conceptual, fast on their feet and go way deep on the markets they are pursuing. They see and ride waves and–as near as I can tell–they all have a formula for “businesses that work” (but not always the same one).
Check out the list. Where do you fit in? You can click here to take the Team and a Dream poll. Or here for more background about the types, with questions.
Tim Berry is the founder and chairman of Palo Alto Software and Bplans.com. Follow him on Twitter @Timberry.
