It wasn’t long ago that world-changing technology could only be built in a few places, by a few people, at prohibitively high costs. But that time has passed. High-speed internet and cloud computing have opened opportunities for people everywhere to build disruptive technologies at reasonable cost. The inspiring story of global tech entrepreneur Kamran Elahian shows not only how world-changing technology can be built by anyone from anywhere, but how also going from failure to success can be a joyous experience at every step.

Elahian is a serial entrepreneur, philanthropist, venture capitalist, and self-described “innovation catalyst” who’s co-founded and scaled 10 companies leading to 6 exits, 3 unicorns, and $8 billion in market value. Building on his long career in Silicon Valley, Elahian now serves as chair of Global Innovation Catalyst, where he’s helped 38 governments around the world create innovation ecosystems so their countries can grow and thrive in the 21st century and beyond.

As part of our Innovation Series collaboration with Kenzie Academy, Kamran Elahian flew out from San Francisco to join us for a candid chat about his entrepreneurial career. He also shares how he went from failure to success when he easily could have slid into a victim’s mindset.

In this episode, Kamran details his journey from growing up in Iran to becoming a prolific Silicon Valley entrepreneur. He also defines his concept of “iTechpreneurship,” and explains what it means to be an innovation catalyst and “entrepreneur without borders.”

In this episode with serial entrepreneur and innovation catalyst Kamran Elahian, you’ll learn:

• Why creating chaos and disruption is the best way to avoid chaos and disruption.
• How high-speed internet has changed the face of global tech innovation.
• How failure can teach you about your personal strengths and weaknesses.
• The importance of not “playing the victim” in life and business.
• What Kamran is doing today to advance tech entrepreneurship around the world.

Please enjoy this conversation with Kamran Elahian!

• Listen to it on iTunes.
• Stream by clicking here.
• Download as an MP3 by right-clicking here and choosing “save as.”

If you like this episode, please subscribe and leave us a review on iTunes. You can also follow us on Soundcloud or Stitcher. We have an incredible lineup of interviews we’ll be releasing every Tuesday here on the Powderkeg Podcast.

Kamran Elahian quotes from this episode of Igniting Startups:

Links and resources mentioned in this episode:

Companies and organizations:

• Amazon
• Global Innovation Catalyst
• Google
• HP
• Kenzie Academy
• Microsoft
• Momenta
• Schools Online
• Tektronix
• The World Bank

Venture capital firms:

• Global Catalyst Partners

Books and publications:  

• The Alchemist
• The Wall Street Journal

  Websites:

• Kamran’s personal website

People:

• Chok Ooi (@chokooi)
• Kamran Elahian (@KamranElahian)
• Paulo Coelho (@paulocoelho)

Did you enjoy this conversation? Thank Kamran Elahian on Twitter!

If you enjoyed this session and have 3 seconds to spare, let Kamran know via Twitter by clicking on the link below:

Click here to say hi and thank Kamran Elahian on Twitter!

COMMENTS?

What stood out most to you about what Kamran share in this podcast?

For me, it’s what Kamran is doing today to advance tech entrepreneurship around the world.

You? Leave a comment below.

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