The Jason Cavness Experience

How Founders Actually Build Momentum with Nick Hughes

2 h 36 min · 19. maj 2026
episode How Founders Actually Build Momentum with Nick Hughes cover

Description

From a failed startup to launching Founders Live across 155 cities and 58 countries, Nick explains what founders really need early on: community, storytelling, validation, and consistent action. He also breaks down why most people wait too long to start, how 99-second pitches force clarity, and what he's learned traveling through startup ecosystems around the world. Nick also shares how Founders Live evolved from a simple Seattle pitch event into a global founder marketplace connecting startups with legal, development, hiring, and growth resources. We also discuss: • Why founders overthink getting started • How storytelling creates startup momentum • Building startup ecosystems outside Silicon Valley • Why the crowd votes at Founders Live • Lessons from running communities across 58 countries • What startup culture looks like in Africa and Southeast Asia • The future of Founders Live's marketplace model • Running a global remote-first company • Nick's upcoming 90-day Africa tour • Why entrepreneurship is a universal human drive Nick Hughes LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/jnickhughes/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/jnickhughes/] Nick Hughes Instagram https://www.instagram.com/jnickhughes/ [https://www.instagram.com/jnickhughes/] Founders Live https://www.founderslive.com/ [https://www.founderslive.com/] Jason Links https://linktr.ee/admin [https://linktr.ee/admin] Also check out The Jason Cavness Experience Deep Tech Demo Day during Seattle Deep Tech Week. A showcase bringing together founders, investors, operators, and emerging deep tech startups across the Seattle ecosystem. https://www.deep-tech-week.com/seattle-2026/events/the-jason-cavness-experience-deep-tech-demo-day-part-of-seattle-deep-tech-week

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From a failed startup to launching Founders Live across 155 cities and 58 countries, Nick explains what founders really need early on: community, storytelling, validation, and consistent action. He also breaks down why most people wait too long to start, how 99-second pitches force clarity, and what he's learned traveling through startup ecosystems around the world. Nick also shares how Founders Live evolved from a simple Seattle pitch event into a global founder marketplace connecting startups with legal, development, hiring, and growth resources. We also discuss: • Why founders overthink getting started • How storytelling creates startup momentum • Building startup ecosystems outside Silicon Valley • Why the crowd votes at Founders Live • Lessons from running communities across 58 countries • What startup culture looks like in Africa and Southeast Asia • The future of Founders Live's marketplace model • Running a global remote-first company • Nick's upcoming 90-day Africa tour • Why entrepreneurship is a universal human drive Nick Hughes LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/jnickhughes/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/jnickhughes/] Nick Hughes Instagram https://www.instagram.com/jnickhughes/ [https://www.instagram.com/jnickhughes/] Founders Live https://www.founderslive.com/ [https://www.founderslive.com/] Jason Links https://linktr.ee/admin [https://linktr.ee/admin] Also check out The Jason Cavness Experience Deep Tech Demo Day during Seattle Deep Tech Week. A showcase bringing together founders, investors, operators, and emerging deep tech startups across the Seattle ecosystem. https://www.deep-tech-week.com/seattle-2026/events/the-jason-cavness-experience-deep-tech-demo-day-part-of-seattle-deep-tech-week

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