John Lynn reveals how managing a Japanese hostel and Obama campaign organizing shaped his approach to building 60+ accelerators worldwide. He explains why sustainable self-interest—not pure altruism or selfishness—creates innovation ecosystems that thrive from corporate boardrooms to local communities.
Highlights
International Foundations — From Nagasaki hostels to global accelerators: how cross-cultural community building became his blueprint for innovation
Sustainable Self-Interest — Why reciprocal "give and take" relationships outperform one-way mentorship every time
Community-First Innovation — How the pandemic proved that sustainable entrepreneurship comes from communities, not corporations
Meet Your Hosts
Terrance Orr
A dynamic startup coach and advisor with a passion for mentoring, Terrance has played key roles in various venture firms,
accelerators, and as an EIR at SAP.iO. His experience spans from intrapreneurial ventures at Dell Technologies to being a venture partner, showcasing his broad expertise in driving entrepreneurial success.
Ilya Tabakh
With over fifteen years in the startup ecosystem, Ilya's work at Black & Veatch and his role in pioneering cognitive computing for sports analytics highlight his innovative approach to venture development. His expertise in advising and mentoring in the Climate Tech ecosystem underscores his commitment to innovation and the entrepreneurial journey.
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