Tuesday, September 09, 2008

this is the problem with australian 2.0 startups*

Bostonvcblog : "The role of a Chief Technology Officer (CTO) in a company is an incredibly critical, but poorly understood one. Unless a member of the founding team is a strong technology visionary that occupies that role, many start-ups neglect the position. Instead, they assume the CIO or VP of Engineering can be responsible for setting technology strategy as well as delivering on it – an impossible burden even for the most talented technology manager. "

* and that comes from a business based founder. but how do u attract the best technical talent when the funding isnt there to match the banks and google. number 1 problem with innovation downunder. 3.5 years later I hope I will be able to solve this problem sooner than later. I've yet to meet an investor or partner in Australia that paid more than lip service to this. And if any1 is wondering why we havent any 2.0 successes, start here and follow the causal sequence to its root; there isn't the exciting companies, incentive, security or remuneration, for engineers to join companies. why the engineers arent starting companies and sharing in a disproportionate amount of the equity upside, that's another question i dont know the answer to. i'd happily work for an engineering founder.