Xconomy Forum: The Power of the Pivot

Almost every successful Silicon Valley company has pivoted at least once. In fact, the ability to pivot successfully might just be the single greatest talent a company can have. But can this ability be learned? What’s the right time to change your product or your business model—and
what are the ingredients of a great pivot?

At this special half-day Xconomy event, you’ll hear stories of pivots that worked—and a few that failed—from entrepreneurs and investors in the thick of the Bay Area’s startup ecosystem. We’ll bring founders and leading startup gurus on stage to share frank, insider stories that hit on the big questions: What’s the difference between a product pivot, a business model pivot, and a whole-company pivot? When is a pivot justified, and when is it just a “mulligan,” to use Mike Maples’ term? Can a startup pivot too frequently, or too many times? How do you hold on to your higher purpose through a pivot?

For more details, see our recent article “Startup Veterans to Share Battle Scars at The Power of the Pivot.”

Confirmed Speakers:

Steve Blank, author of The Startup Owner’s Manual and The Four Steps to the Epiphany 
Stephen Hoover, CEO, PARC
Rich Aberman, Co-Founder and COO, WePay
Conrad Burke, CEO, Innovalight (now part of DuPont)
Andy Chen, Co-Founder and VP of Strategic Partnerships, PowerReviews (now part of BazaarVoice)
Duncan Davidson, Managing Director, Bullpen Capital
Sunil Nagaraj, Founder and CEO, Triangulate; Senior Associate, Bessemer Venture Partners
Will Price, CEO, Flite
Leighton Read, Venture Partner, Alloy Ventures
Adam Wiggins, Chief Technology Officer and Co-founder, Heroku (now part of Salesforce.com)
Cheryl Yeoh, CEO and Founder, Reclip.It

Follow us on Twitter: @Xconomy #xcpivot

Schedule:

Registration & Networking: 1:00 – 2:00 pm
Program: 2:00 – 5:00 pm
Networking reception: 5:00 – 6:00 pm

Full Agenda here

Registration Information:

Special Reclip.It rate: $85
Regular Registration: $175
Startup Special: $75
For employees of startups less than 3 years old with 20 or fewer employees.
Student Registration: $20

Limited number available. Full-time students only; valid student ID must be shown at registration desk.

On-Site Registration: $225

Tickets are transferable but not refundable.

To inquire about press registration, email events@xconomy.com.

EVENT HOST

EVENT SPONSORS

NATIONAL
PARTNER

Alexandria
Real Estate Equities

UNDERWRITERS

Cubist Pharmaceuticals • IDA Ireland • Kauffman
Foundation

Latham & Watkins •
Silicon Valley Bank • SRI
International

VENTURE CAPITAL MEMBERS

ARCH
Venture Partners • Avalon Ventures
• Polaris
Venture Partners