BY BENJAMIN HALL, FOUNDER OF L4IS

Ben is the Founder of Lasers for Innovation Solutions (L4IS). The company that uses lasers to create digitized, 3D models from physical samples. They offer Laser Micro-Processing services & capabilities and Laser Ablation Tomography services. 

It seems, based on my experience trying to get the startup off the ground, that putting yourself in a supportive environment is extremely important. 

It’s kind of like chaos theory— the end result depends strongly on the initial conditions. That is to say, surround yourself with people (especially partners) that are motivated, passionate, and excited at the potential of what your new endeavor can offer. Despite what one might think, it is next to impossible to efficiently manage a complex, multi-faceted organization that has the deck largely stacked against them. Choosing the right people is paramount. 

The environment is equally important. Starting my company (L4IS, LLC) in the incubator after taking the TechCelerator startup bootcamp was integral to achieving our initial successes. Having resources that could help us manage marketing, financial, legal, and intellectual property challenges, Ben Franklin Technology Partners and the incubator at Innovation Park allows us to both learn the intricacies of business operations, and maintain focus on core product development.