Interviews with startuppers
As part of a research project to write the article “Nature vs. Nurture: Are Startups All the Same?“, published in September 2017 on Linkedin, we.are.DESI interviewed 5 startups to understand their idea generation, funding, corporate culture, exit strategy, and best advice for other startuppers.
Find below some details about the startups interviewed, and links to the full interviews. (all data updated Sep 2017)
Americas
Startup: NewsCred
Founded: 2008
HQ: New York City, USA
Person interviewed: Shafqat Islam, Cofounder & CEO
Number of employees: 250
Fundings: $88M (series D)
Link to the full interview with Shafqat
Europe & Africa
Startup: Dipsta
Founded: 2015
HQ: Stratford-Upon-Avon, UK
Person interviewed: Janet Wang, Founder
Number of employees: 2-10
Fundings: Jan 2017, crowdfunding £20k
Link to the full interview with Janet
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Startup: Sharewood
Founded: 2015
HQ: Milan, Italy
Person interviewed: Piercarlo Mansueto, CEO & Founder
Number of employees: 11-50
Fundings: Jul 2015, venture seed (undisclosed amount); Mar 2017, €230k equity crowdfunding (170 investors)
Link to the full interview with Piercarlo
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Startup: Flexy
Founded: 2016
HQ: Cape Town, South Africa
Person interviewed: Annette Muller, Founder
Number of employees: 11
Fundings: N/A
Link to the full interview with Annette
Asia
Startup: Sunteng
Founded: 2011
HQ: Shenzhen, China
Person interviewed: Mahdi Shariff, SVP & Chief Strategy Officer
Number of employees: 50-200
Fundings: N/A