EPISODE 11: WARREN DOI
Startup veteran, Warren Doi, shares stories from his career includng GreenCar Hawaii and Energy Excelerator
Warren has a diverse background from beginning his career in management consulting for Ernst & Young in London, England, to various startups taking him from Silicon Valley to Hawaii. He co-founded GreenCar Hawaii, a company that built a clean energy transportation network with zero-emission vehicles. He is a seasoned entrepreneur and has raised over $10 million in operating and equity capital. He leads the world-renown Energy Excelerator’s Go-To-Market Track.
Warren talks about successes and failures with GreenCar, his time working for exciting startups in the Valley, and the awesome work he’s doing with EEX. Warren is also very active in mentorship and giving back, working on various islands providing guidance and support so we get into his views on entrepreneurship and the startup scene here in Hawaii.
LINKS AND RESOURCES
SHOW NOTES
2:40 – Warren’s introduction to entrepreneurship
5:30 – What to do when a company isn’t seeing immediate market results
6:54 – The mechanisms for customer discovery
8:17 – Working in management consulting before entering the world of startups
13:35 – Entering the startup world as a product manager
17:22 – The entrepreneur culture in Hawaii
22:32 – What is GreenCar Hawaii
25:42 – Was GreenCar Hawaii ahead of its time?
28:35 – The car sharing market in Hawaii
30:42 – Tips for entrepreneurs looking to raise money
35:20 – Why Hawaii is the perfect place for energy innovation
40:28 – Energy Excelerator’s unique funding
44:24 – The future of energy innovation
47:42 – Attitudes about entrepreneurship on the neighbor islands
54:22 – The future generations of entrepreneurs
58:34 – Rapid Fire Q&A – What is your favorite thing about Hawaii, favorite beach, top tools for entrepreneurs, most proud career accomplishment, someone who inspired you, final tips for entrepreneurs or investors