Tech Entrepreneurship Courses

Nikita Bier is co-founder of TBH (sold to Meta for more than $30 million) and Gas (sold to Discord for millions more), and has helped more apps hit #1 in the app stores than any human alive. He currently spends his time advising founders on viral growth strategies, product UX, and product development. He's also invested in or advised some of the most successful consumer tech companies out there, including Flo Health Inc., Locket Labs, Citizen, BeReal., Wealthsimple, and more. In our conversation, Nikita shares: 🔸 Strategies for building viral consumer apps 🔸 Why big companies can’t launch hit social apps  🔸 Inside the human trafficking hoax at Gas 🔸 Why teens are such a great audience 🔸 His experience working as a PM at Facebook 🔸 The inside story of how TBH and Gas achieved explosive growth 🔸 Much more Listen now 👇 - YouTube: https://lnkd.in/gGMXBvz4 - Spotify: https://lnkd.in/gb2kCn7p - Apple: https://lnkd.in/g-dEvi9h Some key takeaways: 1. There are only a few core reasons why people download apps, and they each link back to basic human motivations: a. Finding a mate (e.g. Tinder) b. Making or saving money (e.g. Robinhood) c. Unplugging from reality (e.g. Netflix) 2. Optimize for the aha moment in seconds. With attention spans shrinking, it’s critical to demonstrate your core value to users within the first three seconds of using an app. This often requires ruthlessly cutting features and being creative with available APIs and mechanisms. 3. The number of invitations sent per user drops 20% for every additional year of age from 13 to 18. To maximize growth, focus on demographics with high urgency and frequent interactions. With their high social communication rate, teens are particularly valuable for network-effect products. In contrast, targeting adults often requires heavy investment in advertising to acquire users. 4. If you’re looking for a startup idea, look for latent demand: Look for existing user behaviors that are being done in a very inefficient way. If people are using a clunky method to achieve a goal, it signals an opportunity to create a more effective and user-friendly product. 5. It’s extremely difficult for large tech companies to launch hit social apps. The best apps are launched based on hunches about basic human motivations, not the kind of clear market signals and evidence that big companies require before taking new bets. Big companies also require too much process for them to keep up with the pace of iteration required to succeed. It takes them 12-24 months to respond to competitive threats. 6. Creating durable consumer social products is extremely difficult. Nikita views it as a “black swan event” that happens maybe once a decade. While you can become skilled at making apps go viral, creating lasting engagement is much more challenging and involves a lot of luck.

🚀𝗜𝗻𝗱𝗶𝗮 𝗝𝘂𝘀𝘁 𝗔𝗻𝗻𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗰𝗲𝗱 𝗦𝗼𝗺𝗲 𝗦𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗼𝘂𝘀 𝗢𝗽𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁𝘂𝗻𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗲𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗙𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝗶𝗻 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲 I spent some time going through the latest startup schemes that were announced, and honestly, this is one of the strongest pushes India has made for early-stage founders. If you’re building something in AI, education, hardware, deep-tech or even an early student startup, there’s real money on the table. And the best part is, a lot of this support comes without giving up equity. Sharing the ones that really stood out to me: 𝟭. 𝗡-𝗦𝗧𝗘𝗣 (₹𝟰 𝗟𝗮𝗸𝗵𝘀+) This is probably the easiest starting point for: • First-time founders • Early ideas • Student or campus startups It’s simple support to help you start building. 𝟮. 𝗜𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗻𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗔𝗰𝗰𝗲𝗹𝗲𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗼𝗿 (₹𝟭 𝗖𝗿𝗼𝗿𝗲+) If you’re thinking global from day one, this is worth exploring. They help with: • Setting up in the US • GTM support • High-ticket funding Basically a shortcut to global exposure. 𝟯. 𝗘𝗗𝗨 𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗹𝗹𝗲𝗻𝗴𝗲𝗿 (₹𝟰 𝗖𝗿𝗼𝗿𝗲𝘀+) Anyone working on EdTech or skill development should look at this. There’s big support for: • EdTech products • Skilling platforms • Curriculum and learning innovation 𝟰. 𝗨𝗻𝗻𝗮𝘁𝗶 𝗔𝗜 (₹𝟯𝟬 𝗟𝗮𝗸𝗵𝘀+) This is huge for AI builders. Perfect for: • AI tools • SaaS + ML products • Automation + deep-tech ideas If you’re building anything around AI, this is free rocket fuel. 𝟱. 𝗡𝗜𝗗𝗛𝗜 𝗣𝗥𝗔𝗬𝗔𝗦 (₹𝟭𝟬 𝗟𝗮𝗸𝗵𝘀) This one is for hardware and IoT founders. You can actually get funding to build your prototype or MVP. A very practical scheme if your idea needs R&D. 𝟲. 𝗦𝘁𝗮𝗿𝘁𝘂𝗽 𝗜𝗻𝗱𝗶𝗮 𝗦𝗲𝗲𝗱 𝗙𝘂𝗻𝗱 (₹𝟱𝟬 𝗟𝗮𝗸𝗵𝘀) Designed for early-stage teams working on: • Prototype development • Product building • Market entry One of the most reliable government-backed supports right now. I’m sharing this because a lot of founders will be aware. If you’re planning to start something in 2026, this is genuinely the best time to prepare. If you want to discuss which scheme fits your idea, feel free to message me. Always happy to connect with other builders. #Startups #IndiaStartups #FounderCommunity #AI #EdTech #DeepTech #Innovation #Entrepreneurs #Funding #NIDHIPrayas #UnnatiAI #SeedFund #StartupEcosystem

Everyone is racing to build the next AI startup. What if the next billion-dollar climate innovation is already lying on the ground... as agricultural waste? A few days ago, I came across a story that made me pause. In Vietnam, some schools are keeping classrooms significantly cooler—not by installing more air conditioners, but by covering rooftops with insulation tiles made from compressed coconut husk fibers. Think about that for a moment. Something most people consider waste is helping solve one of the world's fastest-growing challenges: rising temperatures. The impact is inspiring. 🌡️ Indoor temperatures can drop by nearly 6°C ⚡ Cooling happens without consuming electricity 🏫 Students learn in more comfortable classrooms ♻️ Coconut waste becomes a valuable building material instead of ending up as waste As founders, we're often taught to look for the next breakthrough technology. But the biggest opportunities don't always come from inventing something new. Sometimes, they come from seeing value where everyone else sees waste. That's what entrepreneurship is really about. Not just building products. Building better systems. This idea follows a simple but powerful formula: ➡️ Identify a local problem. ➡️ Use a local resource. ➡️ Create a scalable local solution. Imagine if every region started solving its own environmental challenges using materials already available nearby. Agricultural waste wouldn't be waste anymore. It would become infrastructure. It would create new income for farmers. It would reduce energy consumption. It would make our cities more resilient. As the world prepares for soaring cooling demand over the coming decades, we have a choice. We can continue building cities that consume more energy... Or we can build cities that simply need less of it. As a founder, this reminds me of an important lesson: The best innovations don't always add complexity. They remove it. Sometimes the future isn't hidden inside a laboratory. Sometimes... it grows on a tree. 🌴 What's one everyday "waste" material that you believe could become the next big business opportunity? I'd love to hear your thoughts. follow Digital Startup India #ClimateInnovation #CircularEconomy #Sustainability #GreenBuildings #ClimateTech #Startup #Entrepreneurship #Innovation #CleanTech #EnergyEfficiency #UrbanCooling #FutureOfBusiness #DigitalStartupIndia Visual Credit: iqutech

The UK has no shortage of startup support programmes. But how well do they work? In our new paper, Full Speed Ahead: Accelerating Britain’s network of startup support programmes, we ask whether the startup support ecosystem is delivering on its promise to founders, funders and the wider economy. We spoke to programme operators, founders, and policy experts to understand the challenges and opportunities, and we propose four areas of reform to help startup support programmes deliver lasting, measurable outcomes. As our Patron, Steve Rigby, writes in the foreword: “We are world-class at launching startups – but not yet at helping them scale. If we want the UK to remain globally competitive, we need to raise the bar on the programmes we fund, back, and promote.” Our report unpacks why issues persist. The common problems we found include: – Misaligned expectations: Many accelerators focus heavily on mentoring and workshops, whereas founders need investor and customer connections. – Duration mismatches: Most programmes last under six months, but founders in deep tech, health and regulated sectors need much longer runway to become investment-ready. – Short-term funding cycles: Stop-start grants disrupt mentorship, break community continuity and undermine the long-term trust essential for founder development. – Flawed impact measurement: Startup survival and funding secured are important, but this doesn’t capture long-term founder development or second-time success. A "failed" startup can produce a much stronger entrepreneur. Our recommendations include: – Establish standards and shared definitions for different programme types to bring clarity, comparability, and baseline quality to the sector. – Reform impact measurement to track long-term founder development, not just short-term startup outcomes or programme activities. – Move to longer-term, outcome-linked support, replacing stop-start grants with adaptable contracts that support iteration, trust, and planning. – Pilot demand-led funding vouchers to let public funding follow founder needs and reward high-performing programmes. We believe these reforms matter because founders need clarity, funders need accountability, and programmes need time and tools to improve. Done right, these changes could help ensure that public investment flows to the programmes that deliver the most value for founders and the UK economy.

Early-stage founders, here’s something I don’t see shared enough 🌱 Starting with an idea is tough, and most “free tools” lists just recycle the same famous names. Here’s a list of lesser-known, truly useful tools and services that can actually make your life easier without breaking the bank. For product development and prototyping: 💡 Penpot – Open-source design and prototyping platform, fully collaborative 💡 Excalidraw – Hand-drawn style diagrams and wireframes, perfect for brainstorming 💡 Draftbit Free Plan – Build and test mobile apps visually without coding For market research and validation: 💡 Similarweb Free – Basic traffic insights for websites and competitors 💡 QuestionDB – Find questions your target audience is asking online 💡 GWI – Access limited but valuable consumer and tech insights For project management and team collaboration: 💡 Nuclino – Lightweight team wiki, knowledge base, and collaboration tool 💡 ClickUp Free Plan – Flexible task management with docs, boards, and timelines 💡 Taskade Free – Simple collaborative to-do lists and mind maps For coding and MVP development: 💡 Appsmith – Open-source platform for building internal apps fast 💡 Nhost – Backend as a service with a free plan for small apps 💡 Budibase – Low-code platform for internal apps and dashboards For networking, mentorship, and learning: 💡 FounderNest Free – AI-powered startup insights, funding signals, and investor tracking 💡 Micromentor – Connects founders with experienced mentors globally 💡 Startup Resources by R Europe (formerly Seedrs)– Curated free courses and tools for early-stage founders For marketing and growth: 💡 Plausible Analytics Free Trial – Privacy-friendly website analytics alternative 💡 Otter.ai Free Plan – Automatically transcribe meetings, interviews, and user research 💡 SocialBee – Schedule and repurpose content efficiently The recipe for success with free tools: 1. Pick a tool only if it solves a real problem for you. 2. Focus on learning fast, iterating, and validating, not just building. 3. Keep track of what works, early traction and metrics matter more than fancy slides. 4. Share your learnings, helping other founders creates a stronger ecosystem. Scrappiness is a founder superpower ⚡ The right small, obscure tools can save you hours, headaches, and even thousands of dollars. Founders, which hidden gem tools have made your early-stage journey easier?

Worth applying. Almost $2.1B in funding for climate and ESG technologies! Nine funding routes worth knowing if you're building in clean tech, sustainability or ESG right now. U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Small Business Innovation Research and Small Business Technology Transfer programme - up to around $1.6 million across Phase I and II, recently reauthorised through 2031 after a five month lapse. https://lnkd.in/en3AziQe National Science Foundation (NSF) America's Seed Fund - up to $305,000 for Phase I, a strong low-friction entry point via their Project Pitch process. https://seedfund.nsf.gov Advanced Research Projects Agency-Energy (ARPA-E) - non-dilutive funding for high risk, high reward energy technology, often several million dollars per award. https://lnkd.in/eBdJRt_K Third Derivative - RMI and New Energy Nexus's global climate tech accelerator, connecting hard tech startups to investors and corporate partners rather than writing a fixed cheque. https://lnkd.in/eHr55UtC European Union Innovation Fund - one of the world's largest clean tech programmes, with individual grants ranging from tens of millions to over a billion euros. https://lnkd.in/ew3KXYGn EIC - European Innovation Council Accelerator - pairs a grant of up to 2.5 million euros with optional equity investment of up to 10 million euros for deep tech SMEs. https://lnkd.in/ej-qXnHK Breakthrough Energy Fellows - catalytic, non-dilutive funding from $50,000 to $500,000 for early stage climate innovators. https://lnkd.in/e__iKQ49 Elemental Impact - a non-profit climate investor backing companies from pre-seed to Series C, including a Data Center Innovation Initiative funded by Amazon, Google, Meta and Microsoft. https://lnkd.in/ekPnxNRK New South Wales Clean Technology Innovation Grant - up to 5 million Australian dollars for Australian businesses piloting lab-proven clean technologies, applications close 8 September 2026. https://lnkd.in/ejSr4WzD A few things worth knowing before applying: some of these are non-dilutive grants as well as equity investments, deadlines and open/closed status shift constantly, and a handful (like the EU Innovation Fund) operate on a completely different scale to early stage programmes, so it's worth matching the opportunity to your stage rather than chasing the biggest number on the page.

On May 22, 2025, Microsoft signed a deal to purchase over 600,000 tons of #lowcarbon cement from Sublime Systems ; cement produced without fossil fuels, using an innovative electrochemical process. Just a few days later, on May 28, Google expanded its partnership with Arable an agtech startup helping U.S. farmers save 2 billion liters of #water using smart irrigation technology. These aren’t CSR headlines. They’re clear signals that environmental goals and financial sustainability are not in conflict. This is happening in the US even with the strong stance on #sustainability. When driven strategically, sustainability is both a climate solution and a long-term value play. But what’s even more powerful is the catalytic effect of such moves: 1- Microsoft’s purchase enables Sublime Systems to scale its technology faster and cheaper. 2- Google’s validation helps Arable prove its model and unlock broader adoption. When industry giants act as early adopters, they don’t just decarbonize they create entire markets! This is exactly the kind of thinking that can supercharge the #startupecosystem in the #GCC. With ambitious sustainability agendas, national champions in the region can turn their assets into real world #testbeds, validating technologies, shortening the path to commercialization, and nurturing homegrown solutions. We often speak of ecosystems. But ecosystems thrive not in isolation, but through interdependence between the boldness of big players and the brilliance of small innovators. #Sustainability #Innovation #ClimateTech #CircularEconomy #GCC #Startups #GreenGrowth #WaterManagement #GreenConstruction #CenterForSustainableFuture Elias Aad Dragos Fundulea

🔴 Stop talking about how wind turbines and solar panels are the key to a greener planet. BusinessGreen recently asked me what areas of sustainability are working in the shadows and missing their praise in the media. My take? 🟢 We need to START talking about the innovations being made in materials. Exhibit A: Cement 🧱 Cement is responsible for up to 8% of global emissions. With the current rate of global construction and population growth, the demand for cement is projected to keep on rising. That’s why startups trying to make cement production more sustainable, like Biozeroc, Sublime Systems, Reclinker (previously Cambridge Electric Cement), Brimstone or Material Evolution are so important. Exhibit B: Heavy Manufacturing 🏭 If you thought the numbers in cement were overhwelming, heavy manufacturing for materials like steel, glass and chemicals make up a whopping 40% of global emissions. Many of these incumbent industries are the bedrock of our society, and will require substantial hard tech innovation to transition into more sustainable modes of production. That’s why Climate Connection has our wonderful Community Partner FIVe - Foundation Industries Ventures to help climate tech startups pilot their tech in an industrial setting. 🤔 Are there any areas that you think need more attention? Here’s the full BusinessGreen Article if you’re curious:  ➡️ https://lnkd.in/dmJSZDwQ

If you're an impact startup looking to set up in the UAE, here’s something you should know. I work with many impact-driven entrepreneurs eager to launch or expand in the UAE. But one mistake I see far too often? They try to do it all on their own, overlooking the power of incubators. The UAE has government-backed incubators designed to accelerate startup growth—offering everything from market access and mentorship to investor connections. If you're building a purpose-driven venture, these can be game-changers. Here are four incubators worth exploring: Hub71 (Abu Dhabi) 🔹 Focus: Tech and innovation startups 🔹 Why it matters: A dynamic ecosystem, Hub71 connects startups with investors, corporates, and government entities, providing equity-free incentives, mentorship, and access to global networks. The Authority of Social Contribution - Ma'an (Abu Dhabi) 🔹 Focus: Social impact ventures 🔹 Why it matters: Established by the Authority of Social Contribution – Ma’an supports mission-driven startups tackling social, cultural, and environmental challenges, helping turn ideas into sustainable businesses. in5 Dubai (Dubai) 🔹 Focus: Tech, media, science and design startups 🔹 Why it matters: Backed by TECOM Group, in5 operates innovation hubs in Dubai Internet City, Dubai Production City, Dubai Science Park and Dubai Design District, offering startups access to creative spaces, mentorship, and networking opportunities. Sharjah Entrepreneurship Center (Sheraa) (Sharjah) 🔹 Focus: Early-stage startups across industries 🔹 Why it matters: Supported by the Sharjah government, Sheraa helps startups access investors, mentorship, and workshops—nurturing a vibrant entrepreneurial ecosystem. The Bottom Line: If you're serious about growing your impact startup in the UAE, don’t overlook these incubators. They can fast-track your success and open doors that would take years to unlock on your own. If you found this useful, share it with someone who needs to see it! #ImpactStartups #UAE #Sustainability #Entrepreneurship #Innovation #PurposeDriven #MENAStartups #BusinessForGood

The next evolution of sustainable AI isn’t just about using more efficient hardware—it’s about Autonomous AI Agents that code with sustainability in mind. These agents are designed to operate independently, learning and adapting as they go, and have the potential to transform software development by writing energy-efficient code. They don't just optimize for speed; they prioritize minimal resource consumption. Why This Matters for Sustainability Modern AI models consume massive amounts of power, yet software development still prioritizes performance over energy efficiency. Agentic AI could change that paradigm by: ✅ Reducing Computational Waste: AI agents could select or generate the most efficient algorithms based on real-time constraints instead of defaulting to resource-heavy models. For example, they could optimize database queries to reduce data retrieval and processing or dynamically adjust resource allocation based on demand. ✅ Automating Green Software Principles: AI-driven frugal coding practices could optimize data structures, reduce redundant calculations, and minimize memory overhead. This could involve choosing the most energy-efficient programming language or framework for a specific task. ✅ Measuring & Optimizing in Real Time: The reward function would be clear: lower energy consumption, less latency, and reduced emissions—all while maintaining accuracy. ✅ Parallel & Distributed Optimization: AI agents could continuously refine codebases across thousands of cloud instances, improving sustainability at scale. AI-Driven Innovation Archive for Green Coding One of the most exciting ideas in autonomous coding is the "Green Code Archive"—an AI-generated repository of energy-efficient code snippets that could continuously improve over time. Imagine: 🔹 Reusing optimized code instead of reinventing energy-intensive solutions. 🔹 Carbon-aware coding suggestions for green data centers & renewable energy scheduling. 🔹 AI-driven legacy refactoring, automating migration to sustainable architectures. Measuring AI’s carbon footprint after the fact isn’t enough—the goal should be AI that reduces energy use at the source. The future of sustainable tech isn’t just about efficient hardware—it’s about intelligent, autonomous software that optimizes itself for minimal environmental impact. While this technology is still emerging, challenges remain in areas like training complexity and robust validation. However, the potential benefits for a greener future are undeniable. Learn more about leading with Agentic AI and its transformative potential in my book, "Empowering Leaders with Cognitive Frameworks for Agentic AI: From Strategy to Purposeful Implementation" (link in the comments section). #agenticai #greenai #sustainability