Everything you need to know about Amit Kumar, Fremont’s August Startup Grind guest, is embedded in the name of his company, “Trimian.” The name stems from “tri-simian” (three monkeys) and references “sanbiki no sari” (see no evil, hear no evil, speak no evil). In other words, Kumar likes to monkey around, and in the process, solve real problems. He believes that the best startup ideas are what you wish your company was doing, but it isn’t.

Trimian solves the problem of how to leverage professional networks such as your workplace or alumni association. Think of it as a more familiarized version of LinkedIn that’s focused on location and community building.

Amit Kumar’s career journey provides inspiration for entrepreneurs. He got his start in a familiar place — a Fortune 500 company — and then found his own path. Kumar doesn’t knock that experience however, noting that spending a couple of years at a large company is a smart move for entrepreneurs. “You can use the network to your advantage,” he said. In fact, many of Kumar’s early investors were his former managers, “people who knew me.”

Kumar has been the sole founder of his two startups, which bucks the conventional wisdom that you shouldn’t approach the job alone. He describes the co-founder search as a “crap-shoot.” This reflects Kumar’s individualistic approach to many startup conundrums. For example, how do you shorten the feedback cycle? Easy. “Be a user of your own product!” And, how do you figure out your hiring strategy? “Do a bad job at all of the functions to understand what you really need.”

Other kernels of wisdom include:

  • Startups don’t fail because of bad products. They fail because they don’t have a distribution strategy.
  • Borrow the brand. Don’t be afraid to promote high-profile users of your product in order to build awareness.

Next month, the focus will change from social networking to smart homes. On September 27, Startup Grind Fremont will host Andrew Dickson, founder of Acre Designs, a startup creating zero-energy smart homes with a unique approach to prefabrication. Acre Designs was recently funded by and participated in Y Combinator, the world’s leading startup accelerator.

Andrew, interior architect and industrial designer, is an expert when it comes to solving design challenges. His career started in Chicago at a leading corporate interior firm, and later at several boutique product design firms. Andrew also founded Acronym Designs, which produces high-end, sustainable furniture sold throughout North America. All of his experience defines his approach to home construction.

Join us on September 27 for tips on creating smart, sustainable, eco-friendly homes! You’ll find us at EFI (6700 Dumbarton Circle, Fremont, CA). Doors open at 6 p.m. Get your tickets online here.

Stay informed on future events by visiting www.startupgrind.com/fremont or by following us on Twitter @FremontGrind and Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/StartupGrindFremont/.

If you have any
question or suggestions for guest speakers, send an email to Shilpi Sharma,
Co-founder & CEO of Kvantum, and
Chapter Director for Startupgrind Fremont.