Prediction certainty 3/5 debate potential 3/5

Friedensohn: Traditional computer science backgrounds are no longer necessary for tech founders

Alyson Friedensohn · 20VC: Biggest Lessons from Working with John Doerr, How Founders Can Have Discussions of Vulnerability with Their Board and Investors & Marrying Another Founder; The Pros, Cons and Ways To Make it Succeed with Alyson Friedensohn, Co-Founder & CEO @ Modern · Sep 4, 2020 · at 11:35

Alyson Friedensohn, co-founder and CEO of Modern Health, discusses non-technical founders building technology startups with host Harry Stebbings.

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“And so I actually think that as we go forward, the typical like technical founder who has a CS undergrad and maybe dropped out is not actually necessary. And someone who might be really strong in another area who has unique insight into the future and so has thought of this idea and is now executing on it. I actually think we'll really set those people up for success.”

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