Pebble

Eric Migicovsky explains how startup founders can build a useful network of advisors and mentors. He recommends finding some advisors who are a few years ahead in the same domain, since their experience is recent enough to offer practical examples and introductions. A broader group can provide strategic feedback, but founders should combine advice from multiple people and make their own decisions. He also describes typical advisor equity grants and suggests setting a regular cadence with advisors who receive equity.

Eric Migicovsky explains what to look for when hiring at an early-stage startup. He recommends hiring people who can adapt as the company changes direction, and prioritizing trust so teammates can work independently. He also values people with a multidisciplinary skill set, since early hires often need to handle work across several areas. His three priorities are trust, creative flexibility, and multidisciplinary skills.

Eric Migicovsky traces Pebble’s path from a bicycle computer prototype in 2008 to a smartwatch shaped by customer feedback and a developer community. He describes how the team used early prototypes, press coverage, small production runs, and close customer relationships to validate the idea. After investors passed, Pebble raised $10 million from 70,000 people on Kickstarter by focusing on notifications, fitness, and customization. The talk emphasizes building iteratively, listening to users, and creating an open platform that gains value through its community.