Leadership & Building
Avoiding 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, 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, 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, 2016How Big Companies Can Make Innovation Successful
Innovation isn’t about having the right "look," it’s about embracing risk.
November 15, 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, 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, 2016Coworking in the Cloud
Coworking shouldn’t be limited to former factories and warehouses. Shared resources should also be leveraged in the cloud, particularly for early-stage startups with limited access to funds.
August 31, 2016Concierge Startups Tap Cognitive Technology
Magic+ and Operator, personal assistant and personal shopper messenger services, use IBM Watson as an integral part of their stack.
August 15, 2016VIDEO: Business Design Through an Open Method
One of the most significant contributions by the Bluemix Garage Method is to help startups connect with IBM’s enterprise customers.
August 13, 2016Cultural Fluency in Tech Startups
The skills that individuals bring to tech startups add up to nothing if the personalities don't jibe with startup culture.
August 2, 2016Startup Culture Means More than Free Snacks
Forget the free snacks, games room and in-house masseuse. What attracts top talent to tech startups is an environment that will allow for unconventional approaches to problem solving.
August 2, 2016VIDEO: Share Your Startup’s IP with a Resource, Not a Rival
Partnerships between enterprise and startups can help tech ecosystems grow. One place where this kind of cooperation happens is IBM’s Bluemix Garage.
July 18, 2016How to Skill Your Startup
TechPORTFOLIO spoke to Sonia Strimban, manager, Venture Operations at Mars Discovery District about the ideal evolution of startups within the accelerator community and the issues startups run into when it comes to finding employees with the right skills.
June 6, 2016VIDEO: Expertise and Mentorship Help Startups Exit the ‘Valley of Death’
Bridges are being built over what IBM Canada's Pat Horgan refers to as the "Valley of Death" for startups trying to scale up. Initiatives like IBM’s Bluemix Garage – which provides technology support, shares growth experience, and offers mentorship – aims to foster scale up success in the long-run.
June 1, 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.