# Starfire - Entrepreneurship involves risk taking. ## Chris's Journey ### Chapter I - Graduated in 1980, went to Boeing, fast-track promoted - First twist - Option 1: Stay in Boeing, take fellowship - Option 2: Microsoft, Word General Manager - Option 3: Negotiate with Boeing, spin-off a start-up - No guts, not glory ### Chapter II - NetworkX - Founded 1990 - \$1M license agreement with Boeing (10 yr note) - \$3M VC - 12 Ex-Boeing employees - 1993 Acquired by Legent Corporation - WatchGuard - The first security "appliance" - Embed Linux firewall engine in a simple and cool UI "Firebox" - Targeting broadband SME market with affordable enterprise security - More money than Chris ever thought he would have! Exec team are wanting to leave! - "What do I want to be known for when I die?" ### Chapter II - Options - Recruit CEO to rebuild team and remain COB? - Recruit CEO and leave Board -- freeing up assets for philanthropy? - Recruit new exec team and remain CEO and COB? > [!note] Takeaways > > - Obsession with knowing your customer > - Commitment to compete every minute -- faster, faster and faster reaction > times. > - You are stronger than you think > - It's all about the team - Soccer in early 21st century US - Youth participation: white middle and upper class - Passion, especially with recent immigrant populations - Family oriented, especially among Hispanic families - Business model for non-profit - Common good is primary purpose - Commercial activity drives revenue - Directly addressed social needs ## Sustainable - Triple Bottomline - People - Planet - Profit ## Questions ### Mechanism - Where did the investment come for your 1st startup? - Had to take loans before the VC came in! - Almost at the edge of broke. - Getting others behind ideas? - Ensure they feel they are cared and valued. - Take their input. People want to participate. - Why do you choose setting up non-profit corporation as your way of making an impact in the world? - What wakes you up in the morning? ### Intellectual - How do you handle failure? - There is no failure, only opportunities. - We took an incoming missile, but it's not failure.