Founders
Leadership, validation and growth: the practical work of building a company.
How Startups Can Use Growth Marketing to Scale Efficiently
Growth marketing is data-driven, experimental, and focused on long-term, scalable growth.
February 21, 2026Top Growth Hacking Tactics Startups Use to Scale Fast
Growth hacking focuses on rapid experimentation, data analysis and scalable channels.
February 16, 2026Avoiding Startup Mistakes New Business Founders Make
When new businesses don’t make it, it’s rarely because the idea was “bad.”
February 13, 2026How to Verify a Business Concept Before Any Financial Commitment
Validate real demand before you invest time and money.
February 13, 2026An Innovation Mindset: Silicon Valley’s Biggest Export
Silicon Valley’s Innovation Mindset is getting exported at an exponential rate.
November 3, 2017What the Growth of Virtual Marketplaces Means for Small Business
To mark Small Business Week, BDC has released a new report that explores six trends impacting small and medium sized businesses in 2017.
October 26, 2017Social Capital: The Currency of Networking
Social capital and social proof are the currencies of networking and the glue that binds meaningful relationships.
July 4, 2017Closing Canada’s Tech Skills Gap: Teach Youth to Code
220,000 workers needed: That's how vast Canada's tech skills gap could be by 2020, according to Canadian government and industry experts.
May 1, 20173 Practical Steps to Increase Gender Diversity at Your Company
theBoardlist has launched in Canada. It's a talent platform that engages the tech community to increase gender diversity on boards.
April 25, 20173 Must-Dos After A Conference
Joanne Fedeyko shares her 3 must-do tips to make the most out of conferences.
April 5, 2017Wanted: Cybersecurity Experts To Fill Canadian IT Skills Gap
Canada is facing a severe skills gap in IT-related cybersecurity jobs, especially as the number of job-seekers declines despite an abundance of opportunities.
March 23, 2017Taking On Explosive Scaleup With GitHub
With great success comes great challenges, and GitHub has learned that lesson during the company's explosive growth. TechPORTFOLIO talked to GitHub Project Manager Daniel Hwang about tackling growth challenges with strategy, long-range thinking, partnerships, and product “superfans.”
January 30, 2017Bluemix and Millennial-Targeting Ingenuity Kickstarted This Startup
MutualMind, a startup using IBM’s Bluemix developer portal, effectively used social listening to attract angel investors.
December 15, 2016Startups Vie For $25,000 Investment at IBM SmartCamp
IBM SmartCamp could provide your startup with "life-changing" opportunities, according to Yoly Avalos, Founder and CEO of Bquate.
November 24, 2016Explained: The Mechanics of Color for Developers
Color is an important part of online identity and web development. Here's how color is expressed online, with some tools for accessibility and image manipulation.
November 21, 2016How Big Companies Can Make Innovation Successful
Innovation isn’t about having the right "look," it’s about embracing risk.
November 15, 2016Watson Developer Conference Augments SF’s Intelligence
The IBM Watson Developer Conference kicks off November 9th in the heart of San Francisco, and TechPORTFOLIO will be there delivering live insights.
November 8, 20166 Essential Skills of Exceptional Entrepreneurs
Think about what’s in front of you, not behind, says author Amy Wilkinson at IBM World of Watson 2016.
October 24, 2016Toronto Tech Sector Growth Outpaces Canada 2X
A new report from TechToronto says over 400,000 jobs in Toronto in 2016 are related to the tech sector.
October 19, 2016Control is the Key to Employees Thriving in Startups
Let go of the company’s reins in order to let staff explore and flourish.
October 17, 2016Frequently Asked Questions
Who is the Founders section for?
People starting or running a company: founders, early employees and operators who want practical guidance on building a business.
What topics does it cover?
Validating an idea, avoiding common early mistakes, leadership, hiring and culture, and growth marketing.
Are there tools for founders?
Yes. The Runway & Burn Calculator and Cap Table Builder are designed for founders planning cash and ownership.
Can I contribute a guide?
We consider contributed pieces from experienced founders and operators. Email info@techportfolio.net with an outline.
Are older founder stories still relevant?
Many are. Stories published before 2026 are labelled with their year so you can judge how current they are.