The Watercooler Episode 21: Happy New Year
Re-Connecting the Dots
Well that was a longer break than I’d anticipated taking. Being back behind the writer’s desk for one of my favourite pieces of content feels awesome. This is especially so given how much activity has been happening in our community over the past several weeks.
While this reboot episode won’t be as big as the ones to come, I’m confident that once you’re done reading you’ll get a sense of where The Watercooler is going. Before we get started, I’d like to extend my thanks to a few special folks.
- The extremely talented reporters in our community who consistently feed the need for information. Looking at you AmericanInno/BostInno, The Buzz, and Built in Boston to name but a few.
- Jason Kraus, Yevgeny Ioffe, Chris Dube and the entire team over at Prepare 4 VC. Ever since I joined I’ve been inspired to re-engage with the startup community and provide whatever help I can, however I can.
- Olivia Kantyka who recently commented on emerging trends when it come to rebrands and re-imaginings of all kinds. This sealed the deal for me in terms of pressing the power button and getting back in action.
- All of YOU for your readership and support.
Adaptation is Awesome
When COVID-19 first came to Boston, the startup community faced unprecedented challenges. In writing this I realize I run the risk of repeating so much of what’s been said already, but the collective rising to the occasion is something that’s going to stick with me for a very long time. In many ways it’s an example of a culture in-action, since adaptation comes easily to those who are used to taking risks and who consistently face those responsibilities with a spirit of radical acceptance.
One of the core parts of the system here, our in-person events, shut down and led to many questions being asked: “What’s going to happen now?” and “What are we going to do?” or if you were me: “Who am I going to tell punny jokes to while eating pizza?”.
All kidding aside, adaptation quickly became the predominant reaction carried out by our community builders. Venture Lane, Venture Café (Innovation Studio), The Capital Network, and several other hubs had to think quickly and pivot accordingly. The value these organizations bring to Boston and New England now began being experienced globally on an even greater scale — and certain companies, primed and ready to assist in this acceleration began blazing brightly.
Companies like Introvoke and EllisX provided the ways and means to answer the craving for connection, the thirst for knowledge, and the opportunity to seek silver linings even under stormy skies.
The CoCo initiative, spearheaded by Sir John Hargrave and MedianShower, established a social messaging and communications campaign that continues to defeat disinformation, promote positively accurate sources and elevate morale for people being bombarded by the infodemic.
There was one organization who really took the concept of adaptation to the next level however….
Great Things Remain, Even If They’re Not Exactly The Same
Stephanie Roulic is a leader. She not only builds teams and solves problems, she leads those teams and takes point on the problem-solving. Like climbing the steepest mountains, whatever difficulty there may have been in delivering for Startup Boston Week, one of Boston’s flagship series, was tackled with three things in mind:
- Keeping the community together
- Opening it up and offering it to the globe
- Demonstrating that this resilience is, like innovation, a result of people as well as knowledge, systems and institutions.
Taking an even wider view, Roulic decided she’d like to go above and beyond by adding to the formula. She created the Celebrating Startup Milestones series, has shared her story to empower others, and is constantly collaborating.
We’ve Come a Long Way, Here’s How We Can Help
When BostInno’s Rowan Walrath and Emma Campbell reported on LivelyHood.io, I knew I had to share how this startup is helping provide access to food and medicine during the pandemic.
Simply put, Livelyood’s mission is to mobilize assistance for those who are most vulnerable and at-risk in the community. This is a great example of leveraging three of our entrepreneurial culture’s characteristics in order to create impact:
- Outside-the-Box Thinking
- Community Focus
- Building Partnerships
Great job!
Gratitude
“Thank you for showing us the true meaning of entrepreneurship.
Thank you for inspiring us to wake up everyday and find new ways to support you.
Thank you for trusting us during these unprecedented times.”
-Branchfood: How We’re Finding the Good In 2020: Connection, Innovation, and Resilience
It’s hard to be thankful during tough times, and yet that attitude of gratitude is one of the recurring themes I’m seeing in startup world…whether from Privy’s Ben Jabbawy, Lauren Abda and team at Branchfood, and so many more.
Next Steps
The plan going forward as I restart this series is for a once-weekly episode. I’m aiming for Friday although the exact day of the week may change. Bear with me as I find my rhythm + muse once again.
If you’re wondering how you can contribute to The Watercooler dear readers, that’s easy! Get in touch with me. You’re also personally invited to join me on Prepare 4 VC’s online portal.
Alright…go connect those dots!
