JK, I meant Experimental COO

Edits to the 4x25 Experimental CEO - I mean COO - Project

A week ago, I launched 4x25: The Experimental CEO Project, and apps are already coming in from around the globe! So is the feedback. Let’s fine-tune a few things.

I’m actually looking for COOs, not CEOs

The biggest issue with what I shipped last week was folks thinking this is a traditional incubator like Y Combinator, Techstars or 4.0, where people bring their own startup ideas for $ and maybe some coaching. I’m a huge fan of that model, for sure.

But this isn’t that.

I need help building 4 businesses that complement each other and honor the community of curious people reading this newsletter and electrifying stuff. There’s context here, not just $25k.

Building alongside three others and on top of what we’ve already built makes this different - maybe harder? - than the parallel-play required of CEOs in incubators. I think we need a rebrand. How about The Experimental COO Project?

We should talk more about operations than we do

I’m really fired up about this edit; operating is underrated and under-discussed.

My longest-running professional mentor relationship is with AD Frazier Jr, who I worked for when he was COO of the 1996 Atlanta Olympics. I’ve never learned more, faster. Beth Seling, Katie Beck, and Hassan Hassan. Each served as COO at 4.0 and taught me more about myself and how to build teams than I ever learned in school or working solo.

Then there’s Cam, the longest-serving member of 4.0. Time after time when I didn’t know where to go next, Cambria Martinelli Skvarka took up the mantle of exploring new businesses that aligned with our values, leveraged our assets, and expanded our understanding of who else might need our help in an honest, joyful, fearless way. WWCD? She’d make this more precise and make sure candidates understood the context. On top of the rebrand, I’m tweaking the app to include more homework on where we’ve been and who we’re becoming.

I believe in asking for help, so I’m adding a $100 kicker.

This whole deal is about becoming a community, about being a team. About a few people trying a crappy online class back in 2021. About 100+ people since in cohort after cohort. About a species seeking a better, brighter future.

I believe our electric future is bright. On the other side of a winding, blind-curve-ahead road, yes. But better. For everyone.

I think you believe that, too.

So partly as poster-on-the-wall, and partly putting my $ where my heart is, there’s now a nomination button at mynextelectric.com/4x25. If someone you refer gets one of the gigs, I’ll send you $100.

Thanks for believing in what we’re trying to do here.