Visionary leader invests in entrepreneurs and Hokie Nation

In his own backyard, in the heart of Silicon Valley tech giants like Apple and Google, Jim Strawbridge has a unique vantage point to reflect on his career in law, technology, and finance. Jim Strawbridge: "So I have an engineering degree from Virginia Tech, but as I like to joke, I wasn't smart enough to be a real tech engineer, so I went to law school." He started his career at a law firm before venturing into the world of technology. Jim Strawbridge: "At risk of name dropping. I had the privilege of working with Netscape, which was an early internet pioneer. I had the privilege and honor of working with the late Steve Jobs." His journey in technology then took him to a venture capital firm specializing in innovative technologies. Jim Strawbridge: "Most good CEOs have some level of sales skills, and I think most CEOs know how to build a great culture." Jim cherishes his connection to Hokie Nation. It's because of that connection, he became chief operating officer and general counsel at Stemcentrx, a biotech research company founded by fellow alum, Brian Slingerland. It's there Jim showcased his dedication to advancing medical technology and treating diseases like cancer. Jim Strawbridge: "But there's something especially satisfying working in biotechnology where you literally might be helping save lives down the road." His passion for learning and technology is evident in his diverse experiences. Jim Strawbridge: "I love learning. I like learning new things. And technology has always fascinated me." Now, a leading advisor in the field, offering valuable insights to entrepreneurs navigating the challenges of venture capital. Jim Strawbridge: "You need a compelling product or service, and then obviously the management team is huge." Jim's advice for budding entrepreneurs: have a plan, rehearse your pitch, and be better than everything else the venture capitalist sees. Jim Strawbridge: "It's not good enough to be good. I think a lot of entrepreneurs say, I have this great idea. This is really cool. And I'm like, yeah, it is. That is great. That is really cool. But you've got to be better than everything else that venture capitalist is seeing." He stresses the importance of taking risks and surrounding yourself with the right people. Jim Strawbridge: "There's the compensation obviously. "There's the role. There's the lifestyle. Meaning do you have to travel a lot, or is the commute terrible, or do you have formal hours? And then I say, then there's people you work with. And obviously they're all very important but if I had to pick one over the other, it's people you work with." Jim Strawbridge, a visionary leader, leaving his mark on Silicon Valley and beyond.