Presentation slides of the speech given by A. Leonforte at the Rome Startup Weeekend

1. Flying a paraglider
as a metaphor
of starting up
a web company
Antonio Leonforte
Co-founder & CEO

2. Antonio Leonforte (fhoster.com)Flying a paraglider as a metaphor of starting up a company
Cheapest way to start
Inexpensive technology,
easy to learn

3. Antonio Leonforte (fhoster.com)Flying a paraglider as a metaphor of starting up a company
Should be driven by passion, not ego
Those
who fly
just to show-
off crash
often and
quit flying
early

4. Antonio Leonforte (fhoster.com)Flying a paraglider as a metaphor of starting up a company
Totalizing experience
Addictive
sensation
of freedom
No time
for other
sports

5. Antonio Leonforte (fhoster.com)Flying a paraglider as a metaphor of starting up a company
Explore the unkown…
Thermals,
sinks,
rotors…
Air is
invisible,
but you
have signs

6. Antonio Leonforte (fhoster.com)Flying a paraglider as a metaphor of starting up a companyCompany briefing Revision 0.70 / 2008.12.05
… with a fragile ship
Choose
carefully
when &
where
to fly

7. Antonio Leonforte (fhoster.com)Flying a paraglider as a metaphor of starting up a company
Family support is important
Parents
or partners,
they must be
on your side

8. Antonio Leonforte (fhoster.com)Flying a paraglider as a metaphor of starting up a company
Stay ready to update your plan
Wheather
changes rapidly
Thermals are
where they are,
not where you
expect them

9. Antonio Leonforte (fhoster.com)Flying a paraglider as a metaphor of starting up a company
Know your limits
It’s easier have deflations
while flying into stronger
thermals
Learn
how to handle stress
gradually

10. Antonio Leonforte (fhoster.com)Flying a paraglider as a metaphor of starting up a company
Models are just models
Don’t
complicate
your Excel
model too
much

11. Antonio Leonforte (fhoster.com)Flying a paraglider as a metaphor of starting up a company
Altitude (cash) is king
 The problem
is not
getting
airborne
 The problem
is actually
staying
in the air

12. Antonio Leonforte (fhoster.com)Flying a paraglider as a metaphor of starting up a company
Flying fast is important
Only fly
to young
clouds
Get there
before
they
dissolve

13. Antonio Leonforte (fhoster.com)Flying a paraglider as a metaphor of starting up a company
Flying slow is also important…
Learn to fly
efficiently
and to wait
for better
conditions

14. Antonio Leonforte (fhoster.com)Flying a paraglider as a metaphor of starting up a company
… but never below stall speed
Once you take-off,
you just can’t stop

15. Antonio Leonforte (fhoster.com)Flying a paraglider as a metaphor of starting up a company
Do not over-react
Don’t take
decisions
just based on
emotions

16. Antonio Leonforte (fhoster.com)Flying a paraglider as a metaphor of starting up a company
You are on your own…
People
giving you
advises
don’t
really see
what you
see

17. Antonio Leonforte (fhoster.com)Flying a paraglider as a metaphor of starting up a company
…but flying with others helps
Other pilots
(and birds)
can discover
thermals
for you

18. Antonio Leonforte (fhoster.com)Flying a paraglider as a metaphor of starting up a company
Top landing
Good
pilots
can land
on top
and plan
for a new
flight

19. Antonio Leonforte (fhoster.com)Flying a paraglider as a metaphor of starting up a company
Contacts