00054. How Peter Rojas Founded Gizmodo and Engadget, Two of the Biggest Blogs in Tech, and Ultimately Forged a Career...

On today's episode of Gritty Founder, Kreig Kent talks with Peter Rojas about how he built and grew Gizmodo and Engadget. Peter shares valuable insights on what investors look for in founders as well as tips for building a great product and business.
Peter Rojas is a partner at Betaworks Ventures, a seed stage venture fund. He was previously the founder of Gizmodo/Gawker, Engadget/Weblogs Inc, RCRD LBL, and gdgt.
Some Questions Kreig asks Peter: - When did you catch the entrepreneurial bug? (6:12)
- What is the most important ingredient that you look for in a founder? (37:21)
- What is one thing you believe about life that most people would disagree with? (54:06)
In This Episode, You Will Learn: - About Peter’s background and how he became an entrepreneur (4:25)
- How Peter started Gizmodo (6:16)
- The story of how Peter left Gizmodo and started Engadget (16:21)
- The importance of respecting your audience (21:13)
- You need to build a great product that is also able to grow (39:35)
- As a founder you have to be fanatical about the product being great (41:37)
- Sometimes the best decision is to move on from a project (45:52)
- Don’t build a business you don’t want to build and are not passionate about (51:38)
- Hard work is not enough (54:06)
Connect with Peter Rojas: Twitter
Betaworks
Also Mentioned on This Show... Peter’s favorite quote:
“I divide my officers into four classes; the clever, the lazy, the industrious, and the stupid. Each officer possesses at least two of these qualities. Those who are clever and industrious are fitted for the highest staff appointments. Use can be made of those who are stupid and lazy. The man who is clever and lazy however is for the very highest command; he has the temperament and nerves to deal with all situations. But whoever is stupid and industrious is a menace and must be removed immediately!” ?Kurt von Hammerstein-Equord
Peter’s book recommendation:
Simulacra and Simulation by Jean Baudrillard