From Starbucks to Success: How Stephane Nasser Built OpenVC with Just 2 People
Disclosure: We might receive commission on purchases made through links on this page. Learn more.
In this edition of our Entrepreneur Spotlight series, we sit down with Stephane Nasser, the co-founder of OpenVC, a platform revolutionizing how tech founders and early-stage investors connect. From his unconventional journey starting in the corporate world to running a startup in rural China, Stephane’s story is about innovation, adaptability, and the power of lean entrepreneurship.
The Journey from Microsoft to the Middle of Nowhere
I asked Stephane to introduce himself and share his background to kick things off. His response painted a picture of a career that’s been anything but conventional:“I started my career at Microsoft in France, then spent the next 8 years working at the intersection of tech entrepreneurship and venture capital. I’ve lived and worked in Paris, San Francisco, then went full nomad and I currently run OpenVC from the middle of the Chinese countryside. I’m a non-technical founder, and I love leveraging no-code tools to build software products.”This unique trajectory immediately piqued my curiosity. How does one go from a corporate giant like Microsoft to running a startup in rural China? Stephane’s journey is a testament to the evolving nature of work in the digital age and the possibilities of remote entrepreneurship.
Stephane Nasser, Co-founder of OpenVC
OpenVC: Bridging the Gap in the Startup Ecosystem
Diving into the core of Stephane’s current venture, I asked him to explain what OpenVC does. His answer was concise yet powerful:“We help tech founders and early-stage investors meet each other.”This simple statement belies the complexity and importance of the problem OpenVC is solving. In a world where great ideas often struggle to find funding and investors constantly look for the next big thing, OpenVC is a connector in the startup ecosystem.
A Day in the Life: The Reality of Running an Online Business
Curious about the day-to-day reality of running OpenVC, I asked Stephane to walk us through a typical week in his life as an entrepreneur. His response was refreshingly honest and devoid of the glamour often associated with startup life:“My week is really spent in front of my laptop. As soon as I wake up, I head to my local Starbucks where I will spend the next 8 hours, splitting my time between marketing (social media, newsletter, content creation, partnerships), customer support, and product design/roadmap. I usually take a break around 3 or 4pm, when I start getting tired. Sports at 5pm, dinner at 6:30pm, and most likely another 1-2 hours of work before sleeping. It’s very repetitive and not very exciting, but that’s the reality of running an online business. Sure, I could go to events or conferences, but the ROI on my time would be just lower.”This routine might not be what many envision when they think of entrepreneurship, but it realistically portrays the discipline and focus required to build a successful online business. Stephane’s commitment to maximizing his time and focusing on high-impact activities is evident in his structured daily approach.
The Power of Partnership: Dividing Responsibilities
Running a startup is rarely a solo endeavor, and OpenVC is no exception. I asked Stephane about his co-founders and how they divide responsibilities:“Yes, Lucas Roquilly. He does the tech, I do all the rest. We have a very balanced and natural distribution of tasks, which makes the collaboration easy and efficient.”This clear delineation of roles is critical to OpenVC’s ability to operate effectively with such a lean team. It also reminds us of the importance of finding a co-founder whose skills complement our own.
Productivity Hacks from the Chinese Countryside
Given Stephane’s unique work situation, I was particularly interested in any productivity tips or hacks he might have. His response was both surprising and insightful:“Move to Asia! I live in China at the moment, and the time difference gives me 4 hours of peace every morning – no emails, no messages, no notifications. Another tip is just learning to say ‘no’, which means that you have a crystal clear vision of what’s your priority and what’s not, and you’re not afraid to decline misaligned opportunities.”While relocating to Asia might not be feasible for everyone, Stephane’s approach highlights the importance of creating uninterrupted focus time and being selective about commitments. These principles can be applied regardless of geographical location.
Bootstrapping to Success: OpenVC’s Business Model
In an era where many startups chase venture capital from day one, I was curious about OpenVC’s funding status and business model. Stephane’s responses were illuminating: Funding status: “Bootstrapped” Business model: “Subscriptions” This lean approach to building a business is increasingly popular among founders who prefer maintaining control and growing sustainably. I asked Stephane to elaborate on the strategies they’ve found most effective for growing the business:“Social media, especially LinkedIn and Twitter. We’re not doing any paid advertisement, just engaging deeply with our audience by posting high-quality tools and content frequently. It’s a lot of work, sure, and it doesn’t scale as fast as other channels. But this channel works really well for our target and helps build the OpenVC brand, which results in higher conversion rates and very loyal users.”This organic, content-driven growth approach aligns well with OpenVC’s bootstrapped status and demonstrates the power of building a strong community around a product.
The Tech Stack Behind OpenVC
Given Stephane’s background as a non-technical founder, I was particularly interested in the tools and technologies that power OpenVC. His answer highlighted the democratizing power of no-code tools:“Airtable, by far. Airtable is a no-code database and we built all of OpenVC on top of Airtable. This gives us incredible leverage as a 2-person team to build and run a software company. It’s a cornerstone of everything we do.”This reliance on no-code tools like Airtable is a testament to how technology is lowering the barriers to entry for aspiring entrepreneurs, allowing them to build sophisticated products without extensive technical knowledge.
Overcoming Challenges: The Build vs. Market Dilemma
No entrepreneurial journey is without its challenges. When asked about his greatest hurdle, Stephane shared a dilemma that many founders will find familiar:“The greatest challenge has been arbitraging between building and marketing. On the one hand, we want to build more features, improve the UX, and satisfy all our user’s requests. On the other hand, we need to market and sell the current product as it is, imperfect and all. Those two are necessary but contradictory, and incredibly frustrating. I believe that’s a challenge for every entrepreneur out there.”This balance between product development and marketing is a common struggle for startups. Stephane’s acknowledgment of this challenge and his ongoing efforts to navigate it speak to the complexity of building a successful business.
Celebrating Milestones: OpenVC’s Growth
Despite the challenges, there’s much to celebrate in OpenVC’s journey. When asked about a significant achievement, Stephane shared:“OpenVC is alive, running, and growing every month. Every month, 1,200 founders use OpenVC to raise funds. Just that is already nice. But the really cool part is that we’re just a team of 2. I love that. We’ve done so much with so little. This is really an achievement I’m proud of.”This achievement underscores the power of lean entrepreneurship and a small, dedicated team’s impact in solving real problems for its users.
Advice for Aspiring Entrepreneurs
As we wrapped up our conversation, I asked Stephane what advice he would give someone considering becoming an entrepreneur. His response was pragmatic and wise:“Derisk the project bit by bit. You don’t need to go full time from the start. Actually, it’s often better to keep a 9 to 5 while you experiment with your startup on the side. Use your nights and weekends to make as much progress as possible. Ideally, secure a few $k of monthly revenue before going full time.”This measured approach to entrepreneurship contrasts with the “all-in” mentality often glorified in startup culture. Stephane’s advice emphasizes the importance of validation and financial stability before leaping to full-time entrepreneurship.
Looking Ahead: The Future of OpenVC
As our interview ended, I wondered what was next for OpenVC. While Stephane didn’t share specific plans for the future, his commitment to the platform’s growth and impact was clear. When asked about the primary action he’d like readers to take after learning about OpenVC, his response was straightforward:“Sign up to OpenVC.app, duh!”This call to action reflects Stephane’s confidence in the value OpenVC provides to tech ecosystem founders and investors.
Stephane Nasser’s Lightning Round
In this lightning round, I asked Stephane Nasser to answer 13 rapid-fire questions:What’s something that’s in your pocket at all times when you’re outside, besides your phone?
Empty pockets. I hate having stuff in my pockets.Artificial intelligence: hope or dread?
Hope! We’re adding AI features into OpenVC little by little, and it’s honestly such a better experience!Your favorite place to think big?
Shower, of course.If you were out of business tomorrow, what job would you pursue?
I would build another tech company. I already have a bunch of ideas.One object from your childhood you could never throw away?
My N64 with Zelda Ocarina of Time, Smash Bros, and Perfect Dark.One feature you wish your phone had?
TeleportationYour favorite mobile app?
Stripe notification ^^The book that most influenced you?
His Dark MaterialsMessy desk or clean desk?
CleanOne thing you always have in your fridge?
EggsThe most creative measure of success you’ve set for a team?
I log myself into random user accounts several times a week, just to “take a tour” and see how they use the product. When i see their active dahsboard, I’m super happy.Your favorite time-saving hack?
“Sorry, we’re a super small team so I avoid calls unless absolutely necessary. Can you email me the details pls?”Best movie ever?
The Matrix.Wrapping Up
Stephane Nasser’s journey with OpenVC is a compelling example of modern entrepreneurship. From leveraging no-code tools to build a sophisticated platform, to running a global business from rural China, his story challenges traditional notions of what it takes to build a successful startup. Key takeaways from our conversation include:- The power of lean entrepreneurship and bootstrapping
- The importance of finding the right co-founder and clearly defining roles
- The value of creating uninterrupted focus time for deep work
- The effectiveness of content-driven, organic growth strategies
- The potential of no-code tools to democratize software development
- The wisdom of derisking a startup idea before going all-in
A special thanks to Startup Shinobi for introducing us to Benjamin Yoskovitz.
I’m founder of BizStack at Cagri Sarigoz LLC and a passionate advocate for entrepreneurs.
With over 14 years in tech, marketing, and AI, including my role as Head of SEO at CitizenShipper and co-founder of TaleBot at Intale AI, I’m dedicated to sharing genuine, useful product insights and tips.
At BizStack, I aim to cut through the digital noise to provide clear, actionable advice.
And more than all else, I’m a father to a (always) little girl and a husband.
Contact me at [email protected] for assistance.
