As the co-founders of Getro (Techstars 2017), we accelerate work that matters by helping companies grow through warm introductions and automated job boards. We power job platforms and network management solutions for the world's top VC/PE Funds, Accelerators, and Membership Organizations.

Evan is a community member of Sandbox, Unreasonable, REALITY, Techstars, and StartingBloc. He always dedicates personal time to building community for entrepreneurs, investors, and innovators in NYC. He loves facilitating connections, encouraging self-awareness, and remembering to smile often!

Maveric is committed to building technology that helps people grow and positively impacts those around them. He drives this vision forward by founding mission-aligned companies. In his free time, you’ll find him meditating, practicing dream yoga, and connecting with nature.

What does your company do, and why is it important?

Evan: Getro is the network relationship management platform loved by 850+ VCs, EDOs, and other community-led businesses. Getro helps mobilize your network with publishable network assets like a job board and by automating the warmest intros possible. Intros for sourcing deals, diligencing deals, raising funds, B2B selling, and hiring talent. Getro helps teams put your network to work.

Maveric: We believe the right introductions can change a life. Building a network platform is one step towards helping people uncover growth opportunities under the surface of their network. Networks give power and access to people. By understanding the needs of the world’s top networks, we are able to level the playing field. Getro creates paths for anyone to access and maximize the value of their network.

What advice would you give aspiring entrepreneurs who are just starting their journey?

Maveric:

1. Get more sleep.

Working while exhausted leads to bad decisions, no matter how “productive” you feel.

Studies show severe sleep deprivation is the brain’s equivalent of being drunk. If you wouldn’t take a Zoom call after three glasses of wine, maybe it’s worth rescheduling and resting up.

At Getro, we promote a sleep-friendly culture by respecting time zones and setting realistic response time expectations so everyone can bring their best.

Evan:

2. Don’t “self-reject.”

Early in my career, I assumed the most successful people wouldn’t have time to talk to me.

Here’s the truth: highly personalized, thoughtful outreach often gets a response. Most people remember what it’s like to receive help → and want to pay it forward.

Looking back, I see that I’d “self-reject” to avoid someone else rejecting me.

But as a founder, YOU have to be your biggest advocate.

Even if it’s intimidating. Even if you think you’re “not ready.”

So here’s my advice: pick 1-3 dream mentors and reach out (or even better, get a warm intro).

What has been your proudest moment or biggest triumph in your entrepreneurial journey?

Evan: In May 2020, we launched a non-profit arm of Getro, Getro.org. At the time, over 60K tech employees had been laid off since March due to the economic impact of COVID-19, and we were continuing to see layoffs every week.

In response, we launched Getro.org to support job seekers by giving them coaching and connecting them directly to our community of 500+ companies that are still hiring (sourced through our VC referral partners, like Union Square Ventures and Upfront Ventures). The whole project is completely free to users.

Maveric: This decision to launch this free job board shaped our identity as a company. We saw firsthand the value of building community and growing your network, and we were able to democratize that for thousands of professionals. Of everything we’ve done, we’re most proud of that.

Can you share any resources or organizations that have been particularly helpful to you as an entrepreneur?

Maveric: Besides Techstars, right? Hahah.

First, we’ve been lucky to work with some incredible partners in the VC Platform space. Cory Bolotsky and Josh Goodfield. Cory runs a blog and offers consulting on VC Platform strategy. His thought leadership, friendship, and the marketing opportunities he’s brought our way have not only shaped our strategy but also our revenue potential. Josh has built a community called the VC Platform Community. They have a web surface, newsletter, and annual events that bring VC Platform leaders together. We’ve been partnering with Josh and the team at the VC Platform Community since day 1.

Evan: The other major group of folks I’d reference are the VC companies we work with. They’re not only our clients, but they’re our friends and our north stars. Every conversation brings insights and learning. It’s not typical that your start-up is selling to the most well-networked, highly educated, and business-savvy leaders in the world. We don’t take it for granted that our customers are incredible and have been a monumental part of shaping our success.

Why did you want to do an accelerator, and why did you choose Techstars?

Maveric: I’ve shared in the past about how Getro was on its last legs before Techstars. We had limited revenue, were living on friends' couches, and didn’t have the network or systems to build something much bigger.

Evan: Techstars, specifically, Natty Zola in the Boulder office, brought us in and changed our outlook and direction. Being part of the program got us connected to the network of Venture Funds and startups in the ecosystem that fueled the introductions to our first 100 customers. Beyond the network piece, working alongside other founders, learning from their resilience, and absorbing all the mistakes of founders before us pushed us forward at 10x the speed we were going before the program. It was a no-brainer, and we are so grateful to have been a part of it.

Read More