Case Studies
Fantastical negotiation scene with a solo founder and a giant corporate figure, illustrating strategic unfairness.
Dare to Deal – Part 2: The Art of Being Unfair (When It Pays Off)

Last time, I talked about how finding the deal is more important than squeezing the other side for every penny.…

Case Studies
From lawyer to deep tech entrepreneur, experimenting in a kitchen-turned-lab.
The Long Game of Deep Tech: From Kitchen Experiments to Scientific Breakthrough

Let's be honest, the image of a stressed-out lawyer turned venture capitalist experimenting with flour in his kitchen is pretty…

Case Studies
Half-baker, half-businessperson managing both baking and boardroom challenges.
From Baking to Million-Dollar Deals: The Skills That Work Anywhere (As Long As You Don’t Burn Everything)

Let's be real – I've been covered in more flour than brains some mornings, resembling a zombie in an artisanal…

Experiment
Founder learns to listen over selling, leading to engaged conversation at a coffee shop.
My Week of Active Listening, Part 2: Why Founders Need to Shut Up and Sell Less

Last week, I committed to a little experiment – listening more, talking less. It's been eye-opening, especially when it comes…

Case Studies
Founder at a party awkwardly avoids small talk, instead using a 'Deal Machine' to create win-win partnerships.
Dare to Deal – Part 1: The Networking Lie They Don’t Teach You in Law School

I get told all the time how "good at networking" I am. Big fundraising rounds, partnerships that seem to come…

Things I Read
Caricatures of tech moguls in a lab, showcasing the balance between obsession and success.
The Curse of Obsession: Lessons from Tech’s Most Driven (And Dangerous) Leaders

We're told to "follow our passion", that relentless focus is the key to greatness. But Robert Bruce Shaw's "All In"…

Things I Read
Bustling startup garage scene contrasted with a bureaucratic corporate lab, showcasing startups' advantage in innovation.
The Decline of Big R&D: What Startups Need to Know (And Do Differently)

Intro Recently, I read this article: https://worksinprogress.co/issue/the-rise-and-fall-of-the-american-rd-lab/ There's a lot of nostalgia for the glory days of Bell Labs and…

Experiment
My Week of Active Listening: What Worked, What REALLY Didn’t

Okay, confession time: I'm kind of a talker. I get excited about deals, about ideas, and sometimes I forget there's…

Corporate Venture Building
The Art of the Pivot: When to Adjust Your Venture Strategy

In the startup world, we love to celebrate the big wins. But the truth is, most successful ventures don't follow…

Corporate Venture Building
Unlocking Hidden Talent: Attracting Entrepreneurs to Your Corporation

Big companies talk a lot about wanting entrepreneurial employees, but often their recruitment and internal processes stifle precisely the kind…

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Hello, I'm Trai Sasatavadhana. I'm a part strategist, part mentor, and an all-around catalyst for some of the most exciting ventures emerging in the market.

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