Founders

Stop imagining success & start achieving it.

how do i do that?

As Founders, we get stuck between aspirations & reality

Your venture should unleash your potential

How many of these can you relate to?

You always feel like an imposter founder

You want help - but can never ask for it

You have a great idea / product, but can't get it out there

You feel like investors don't take you seriously

You desperately want to succeed just to avoid failing

what can we do?

Ian has a playbook to help you bring your ideas to life.

Starting something from scratch - whether it's a startup, non-profit, new program, or otherwise - is challenging physically and psychologically.

As a founder, it is critical that you balance passion, objectivity, and positivity to ensure you succeed.

In addition to having founded multiple ventures, Ian is an award-winning teacher, advised and supported 50+ founders, and has led 100s of programs on entrepreneurship and leadership development.

Ian has a passion for empowering people who are trying to change the world. If that's you, let us help you make it happen.

Testimonials

What It's Like Working With Ian As a Founder

Ian was instrumental in helping me get my organization off the ground - not only with tactical advice, but also as a no-nonsense nurturer.

I would never have had the self-confidence, mindset, or skill to seek the fundraising support we needed to launch or sustain the organization without Ian’s guidance (and push).

Meredith Bowyer McNeill

Co-Founder, Greater Than PAC

I find it hard to trust advice that comes from outside our organization. But Ian's level of intelligence and expertise made it easy for me to trust him from the get-go.

In our conversations, Ian has provided a very thoughtful and needed outside perspective. He's helped us troubleshoot issues from sales and marketing to product design and revenue generation.

Walter Ley

Founder / CEO - Branch

I worked with Ian when College AIM was in its infancy. At the time, we were quite simply trying to do too much—too many programs, initiatives and projects. Ian helped me narrow our focus, zero in on the things that we did best and pour our energy into those parts of the work.

Over five years later, his impact is still felt within College AIM. His guidance can be seen in our strategic plan, within our programming and throughout our identity as an organization.

Sam Aleinikoff

Founder / Executive Director
College AIM

Ian's advice is always thoughtful, actionable, and grounded in a valuable set of personal experiences.

Beyond great advice -- it's also clear that he cares deeply about being as helpful as he possibly can (and has fun helping others out!).

He has been generous with his time and I've been lucky to have him as a sounding board as I start my own business.

Nick Cortellessa

Fmr. VP - Goldman Sachs
Founder - Margin

I typically hold business ideas close to my chest because I don't think they're generally very good. But that results in many dying on the vine.

Ian is one of the few people I've engaged with to discuss early ideas who has taken a constructive outlook. He somehow made me feel more excited about the idea while giving me concrete next steps to test its validity in an evidence-based way.

Too often, people will either shoot you down or give you general ‘sounds great!’ fluff, but Ian found a way to avoid either of those poles.

David Poliner

Director, Strategy - WestRock Company

Ian graciously shared insightful and precise feedback at critical moments. Ian explained complex concepts with ease, showcasing his skills as a teacher.

He was adept, too, at reading emotions and body language, offering support when I needed it the most. Ian was an important part of my success in TechStars, and I'm forever grateful for his impact!