Give First, Build Right: A Fireside Chat for Startup Communities

Lunch & Learn: “Give First, Build Right” — Incorruptible Talks Fireside Chat

Join us at Innovation Portal for a virtual Lunch & Learn as we watch the live stream of Incorruptible Talks: Give First, Build Right — A Fireside Chat for Startup Communities.

Eric Ries, author of The Lean Startup, sits down with Brad Feld, co-founder of TechStars and author of Startup Communities, for a candid conversation on building mission-driven companies that last. The discussion is centered on Eric’s new book, Incorruptible, which explores how founders and community builders can protect the values and vision of their organizations as they grow — and why that work is worth doing.

Brad brings his own lens through his latest book, Give First: The Power of Mentoring, drawing on decades of experience backing and advising entrepreneurs. Together, they’ll share hard-won lessons, practical frameworks, and actionable insights for founders, investors, and community leaders at every stage.

Innovation Portal is a proud community sponsor of this event — we’ll be watching together, so come grab lunch and be ready to learn.

📅 Wednesday, April 29 🕛 12:00 – 1:00 PM CDT 📍 Innovation Portal

A note from Eric Ries

I’m glad you’re joining this fireside chat with us.

For context, I have a new book coming out on May 26 called Incorruptible. It’s about how to build companies that stay mission-driven over the long term. While The Lean Startup helps entrepreneurs create valuable organizations, Incorruptible covers how and why to protect them.

You know Brad Feld as the author of Startup Communities and co-founder of TechStars. He recently published a new book called Give First: The Power of Mentoring.

In this virtual fireside chat, Brad and I will discuss the lessons we’ve learned as founders, investors, and advisors. Our goal is to share useful insights and practical frameworks to accelerate your learning.

Have questions for us? Leave a comment below.

After our fireside chat, you’ll also be invited participate in more activities in the Incorruptible community.

The blueprint and ideas from Incorruptible work better when you’re not doing it alone. Share what you’re learning, get support when it’s hard, and connect with others who are putting these ideas into practice.

Thanks to our sponsors for preordering books for their communities!

Innosphere Ventures, Innovation Portal of Mobile AL, Spokane Angel Alliance, Bread & Butter Ventures, UC Irvine ANTrepreneur Center, Carlsen Center for Innovation & Entrepreneurship at Sacramento State University, Blackstone LaunchPad at Syracuse, Startup Virginia, LearnLaunch, Start.coop Rural Accelerator, PIE (Portland Incubator Experiment), gBETA Alaska, iStart Valley.