Startup advice from Robin Chase (Zipcar) of the Founders Program Selection Board
At STATION F, we strongly commit to being “startups first”. That’s why, when we started to think about how we will select our startups in the STATION F Founders Program, we created the “Selection Board”, a group of 100 top-entrepreneurs from all around the world. In addition to being mentors for our community, they help us pick the best startups around the globe by reviewing the video interviews of applicants.
This article is a first in a Startup Advice series from our Selection Board members that are key contributors to our community. We are excited to count Robin Chase, founder of Zipcar, amongst us and as our first Selection Board interviewee! Discover what Robin has to share about startups and startup selection!
If you want to join the Founders Program, applications for batch 5 are open until April 1st on stationf.co/apply.
What will you say about you to someone who doesn’t know you in two sentences ?
I am 100% motivated by addressing climate change as quickly as possible, and I’m able to best do that in the area of urban transportation where I have deep personal experience and lots of connections.
Can you tell us a little bit more about your company and your background?
Twenty years ago (!), I was writing the business plan for Zipcar, which launched in 2000 and which I led as CEO for its first three years. Our use of technology, branding, and success made Zipcar a cornerstone for the sharing economy that was to emerge over the years.
Since then, I’ve founded and co-founded many more transportation companies that have failed, or merged, or continue to grow today (see Veniam). Most recently, I have co-founded my first NGO, NUMO, a global alliance that is leveraging the disruptions brought about by New Urban Mobility innovations to create cities where walking, biking, and shared modes are the new normal.
What have you learned from your experience as an entrepreneur ?
It is possible to actually build and scale something with a good vision, tenacity, and the help of a strong team.
It is possible to actually build and scale something with a good vision, tenacity, and the help of a strong team.
What are the key things that you watch for when someone pitches you an idea ?
Are they passionate enough about the topic area that they live and breathe these ideas all the time?
Are they “intellectually honest”? Are they willing to listen and learn? Do they see problems and try to correct them or to cover them up? Are they self-aware to be able to appreciate their own short-comings and to hire people who are better at certain things than they are?
If you have to choose a co-founder for a new startup, what will matter ?
Do they have the self-awareness described above? Do they share the same values I have? Do they share the same work ethic?
What’s your top advice for an entrepreneur ?
Be intellectual honest. Know your own weaknesses; know your ideas’s weaknesses. You and your company need to learn fast and be nimble. This is how you beat out large companies.
Want to know more about our Selection Board or/and the Founders Program ?
The full list of selection board members is available on our website at stationf.co/selection-board.
If you have questions, check why you should apply to the Founders Program :
And you know what ? We also have some tips for you ;)
