Most founding academics set up their spin-out to commercialise a technology they are passionate about. Deeply versed in the science, and able to lead technology development, they are the natural CTO. Typically, complementing the academic’s technical expertise with commercial and operational skills means hiring in executives: here, the university or TTO may assist.
However, building the right management team is about more than bringing in known names or distributing equity. Beyond the Product, it is the Team’s ability to execute (deliver upon the promise of an idea) that makes a proposition investable. But it’s hard to be sure the company has the right mix of people and skills, that all are aligned and will be able to work together productively and smoothly.
Tensions and frictions often arise from a lack of understanding of, and ability to work with, differences in know-how, attitudes, and drive, both individual and collective. These drag on momentum and traction; sometimes this is terminal.
This Masterclass introduces a new language of team dynamics, as the way for teams to build and sustain their Execution Power.
KTOs can use it to extend or deepen their support in helping founders to create the right teams by design, to increase the chances of spin-out success. The Masterclass is also suitable for actual and potential founders, as well as those considering executive roles within spin-outs.
