We Run Flex

Innovation, Entrepreneurship, and the Future of Work with Tim Draper [Draper Associates]

Tim Draper is a trailblazing venture capitalist and a visionary thinker. He is the founder of DFJ and the Draper Venture Network, a global network of venture capital funds. He has funded Baidu, Tesla, Skype, SpaceX, Twitch, Hotmail, Robinhood, Box, Carta, and many, many other unicorns at the seed stage. In this conversation, Tim shares:  * His unique approach to investing, emphasizing the power of asking 'what if it works' over focusing on risks.  * The qualities he looks for in entrepreneurs, such as intrinsic motivation, resilience, and a customer-oriented mindset.  * How technologies like Bitcoin, blockchain, and AI are going to transform industries and governments.  * The future of work and real estate given the expanding adoption of remote work. — Connect with Tim Draper on X [https://twitter.com/TimDraper] — Join the We Run Flex community on Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/groups/werunflex] Learn more about Optix coworking software [https://www.optixapp.com/] — In this episode, we cover: (01:50) The Evolution of Venture Capital (03:19) The Art of Identifying Potential Entrepreneurs (07:18) The Importance of Resilience in Startups (10:44) The Power of Customer Centricity (12:30) Disrupting Monopolies and Oligopolies (17:55) The Transformation of Big Pharma (22:04) The Impact of Decentralization (23:05) The Future of Bitcoin and Blockchain (26:55) The Future of Artificial Intelligence (27:52) AI's Impact on Jobs and Industries (29:04) The Resistance to AI and Technological Change (31:33) Adapting to New Technologies (33:32) The Impact of Inflation and Economic Climate (39:33) The Transformation of Real Estate

Exploring Co-Living, Office Space, and Real Estate Trends with Brad Hargreaves [Thesis Driven, Common, General Assembly]

Brad Hargreaves is the founder of Thesis Driven, a top-rated email newsletter on Substack covering real estate trends and property technology. Brad cofounded General Assembly, a global tech education centre, as well as Common, a co-living provider that recently merged with Habyt to become the world’s leading co-living operator.  In this conversation, Brad shares: * His entrepreneurial journey and initial ventures into game development * The growth and astronomical success of General Assembly - and what he learned from that experience * How Common became one of the leading co-living providers in the world * Covering emerging real estate trends with Thesis Driven * Predictions for the future of the office market — Connect with Brad on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/bharg/] Connect with Brad on X [https://twitter.com/bhargreaves?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Eauthor] Subscribe to Thesis Driven [https://www.thesisdriven.com/] — Join the We Run Flex community on Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/groups/werunflex] Learn more about Optix coworking software [https://www.optixapp.com/] — In this episode, we cover: (02:56) Founding a Game Studio (04:39) Founding General Assembly and Its Initial Concept (07:25) Expansion of General Assembly and Its Impact (08:31) General Assembly's Business Model and Growth (11:11) Marketing Strategies and Building Brand Awareness (22:08) Role of Technology in General Assembly (25:44) Team Building and Role Evolution in General Assembly (28:28) Exit Strategy and Sale of General Assembly (30:23) Innovation in Housing and Education (31:04) The Birth of Common: Addressing Housing Challenges (34:34) The Expansion and Challenges of Common (35:42) The Business Model: Housing as the Core Product (37:15) Surviving the Recession and the Merger (41:43) The Birth of Thesis Driven (44:38) The Future of Office Spaces (52:09) The Fate of Class B Office Spaces (56:55) The Impact of Remote Work on New Generation Employees

Navigating the Cofounder Relationship with Tanis Jorge [The Cofounder’s Hub, Trulioo]

Tanis Jorge is the founder of The Cofounder’s Hub, author of The Cofounder's Handbook, and cofounder of unicorn tech company, Trulioo. Tanis has successfully started and exited 4 companies with the same cofounder, making her an expert in both entrepreneurship and the cofounder relationship.  In this conversation, Tanis shares: * Her entrepreneurial journey, including how she first met her cofounder * How her cofounder relationship evolved over time through various life stages * The process of starting a business and aligning goals with cofounders * Strategies to discern if a cofounder partnership is going to work * How to cultivate strong business relationships for success — Get The Cofounder's Handbook [https://thecofoundershub.com/the-cofounders-handbook/] Visit the Cofounder's Hub [https://thecofoundershub.com/] Connect with Tanis on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/tanisjorge/] — Join the We Run Flex community on Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/groups/werunflex] Learn more about Optix coworking software [https://www.optixapp.com/] — In this episode, we cover: (01:57) Tanis' Early Life and Entrepreneurial Journey (05:31) Understanding the Cofounder Dynamic (08:58) The Importance of Trust and Value Alignment (16:17) Challenges of Balancing Parenthood and Entrepreneurship (21:01) The Importance of Diverse Skill Sets in Cofounder Partnerships (23:47) Importance of Partnership Agreements (26:36) Recognizing Early Signs of Partnership Trouble (28:43) The Golden Rule in Business Partnerships (29:38) Understanding Conflict Styles in Business (30:14) The Value of Self-Reflection in Business (31:15) The Two Types of Founders Seeking Help (38:14) The Importance of Early Exit Strategy Discussions (40:47) The Process of Selling a Business

Access Control and Securing the Flexible Future with Bernhard Mehl [Kisi]

Bernhard Mehl is the cofounder and CEO of Kisi, one of the leading access control providers for coworking and flex spaces. Bernhard has a background in engineering and is passionate about bringing innovative hardware and software solutions to the market.  In this conversation, Bernhard shares: * The origin story of Kisi and his vision for the company  * How their partnership with Apple provides enhanced security and privacy for users * The challenges behind implementing this technology in a commercial space compared to a residential one * Future trends in the flex sector, including the importance of creating a seamless user experience, leveraging data, and fostering partnerships and collaborations. — Connect with Bernhard on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/bernie-mehl-62184819/] Learn more about Kisi access control [https://www.getkisi.com/] — Join the We Run Flex community on Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/groups/werunflex] Learn more about Optix coworking software [https://www.optixapp.com/] — In this episode, we cover: (01:35) Origins of Kisi and the Challenges of Hardware Startups (03:44) The Evolution of Kisi - Vision and Market (05:47) The Challenges and Opportunities of Access Control (07:55) The Importance of Identity and Infrastructure in Access Control (10:24) The Role of User Experience and Privacy in Access Control (13:29) The Relevance of Data in Post-COVID Workplace Management (23:07) The Future of Real Estate and Workplace Management (26:15) The Impact of COVID-19 on Long-Term Leases (27:37) The Role of Kisi in the Changing Landscape of Space Management (28:55) The Shift Towards a More Flexible Future for Real Estate (30:10) The Role of Apple in Building Security and Identity Management (32:02) The Evolution of Security Products: From Offices to Event Spaces (34:15) The Importance of Privacy and Trust in Biometric Systems (35:54) The Challenges and Solutions in Implementing New Technology in Commercial Spaces (40:44) The Differences Between Commercial and Residential Locks (47:11) The Future of Flex Spaces: Key Challenges and Opportunities (48:10) The Power of Partnerships in the Real Estate World