Founder or Operator? Finding Your Path in Startups
Breaking into the startup world isn’t one-size-fits-all - and figuring out where you actually fit can be the hardest part.
Should you start a company? Join an early-stage team? Or build experience as an operator before taking the founder leap?
This session is designed to help you understand the real differences between being a startup founder and a startup operator, and how to decide which path aligns with your skills, goals, and risk tolerance.
We’ll hear directly from people who’ve been there—founders and operators who have navigated these choices firsthand—sharing honest perspectives on:
What day-to-day life actually looks like as a founder vs. an operator
The skills, mindset, and tradeoffs required for each path
When it makes sense to start something yourself vs. join an existing startup
How to break into the startup ecosystem from each role
Whether you’re a student, early-career professional or simply startup-curious, this conversation is about giving you clarity, not hype.
If you’re trying to figure out how you want to build in startups, this is a great place to start.