Canadian Celebrity Startup Founders being Called Out
In the last couple months, two of Canada’s most famous startup founders (and media darlings) have been called out for over-hyping their previous accomplishments.
First was Tom Williams, who was called out by the Toronto Vancouver Sun in a three page article.
Second, and more recently was Albert Lai who was called out by VC Rick Segal on Rick’s own blog. Albert is famous for being the founder of MyDesktop. Rick responds by saying:
I spoke to the founders and know the founders…. You were not, have not, and never will be consider a co-founder of MyDesktop
Yikes.
The writers were definitely being harsh. However, from what I can gather, both founders have stretched the truth when it comes to their previous accomplishments (when I compare the facts in the articles with what I’ve heard from their own mouths)
I think it should also make us all reflect about how we as startup people present ourselves. It should also make us second-guess anything we hear about “super-founders” — from their mouths or from the media’s.
Work hard, be nice, don’t lie, admit you’re just like everyone else, be nice to your loved ones, water the plants.
We’re all gong to be okay.
March 15th, 2008 at 5:25 pm
It is very Canadian to attack the people in the spotlight. Rick may have missed the point, if Albert inspired just a handful of people to try a startup then who cares if he claimed to have been behind Facebook? We need more media darlings/whores/etc and less negative gossip.
March 15th, 2008 at 8:18 pm
Jesse,
Sorry, but this just isn’t correct. My issue isn’t with Albert and his embellishments rather with his nonsense about Canada and this notion that Canada isn’t a great place for start ups. It’s false. While I may privately care and I’m sure the actual founders care, the bigger picture is as exactly as you point out, getting more start up action in Canada. That was the bulk of my post.
March 15th, 2008 at 10:13 pm
Rick: It does read to me like a personal attack even though you do have some positive information in there. That isn’t your point but that was my impression.
March 17th, 2008 at 8:10 pm
I respect your opinion, Jesse. Albert knows me well enough to know that I can take em out to the woodshed and still like the guy.