Michael Lyon

After mentoring over 100 startups at the Creative Destruction Lab (CDL) over the last eight years, Mike Lyon noticed something: no matter the technology or product, the same set of mistakes and issues kept resurfacing. He asked himself how could he make this process more efficient and give startups a head start in accelerator programs and as they grow? With his recent book "Accelerating Startups – Lessons from Mentors," Mike aims to do just that, bringing together a dozen other mentors for the project, and with a foreword by CDL founder, Professor Ajay Agarwal.

Mike’s talk captures the key lessons from this inquiry and from his forty-year diverse career. Audiences will learn how to answer the fundamental question: Is the startup life right for me? The presentation will explore how to find and refine a company’s value proposition, pitch with clarity, build a resilient team, and create a go-to-market strategy that delivers real traction. Mike will address thinking strategically about fundraising—when to bootstrap, apply for grants, or raise seed and venture rounds—and how to approach finances in early stage ventures. Legal essentials are presented as practical safeguards, covering corporate governance, intellectual property, contracts, licensing, and dispute resolution. International opportunities and the role of mentors are highlighted as critical accelerants of growth.

Main Takeaways:

• Presents a startup roadmap tailored to both early-stage founders and intrapreneurs within larger firms seeking to innovate and grow.
• Highlights a practical framework for funding, marketing, branding, and legal decision-making.
• Provides insights on starting and scaling a business while avoiding common pitfalls.
• Explores how to harness entrepreneurial energy—whether building a startup, investing in one, or fostering intrapreneurship inside established organizations.