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Give First: The Power of Mentorship
Are you looking to enhance your mentorship skills and make a lasting impact on the entrepreneurial world? Renowned entrepreneur and investor Brad Feld shares his decades of experience and expertise in developing and refining the art of mentorship through the philosophy of GiveFirst . The GiveFirst philosophy encourages individuals to give their time, resources, and expertise to others without expectation of immediate return. It goes beyond the "Pay it Forward" mentality, showing you how to adopt a continuous, optimistic, and empathetic mindset in your professional life. It reinforces positive feedback loops that impact not only individuals but also entire communities. In this book you'll discover how GiveFirst can help you create a vibrant startup community by breaking free from a transactional mindset and becoming an extraordinary mentor. Whether you are just starting your professional journey or well into it, GiveFirst is a must-read for anyone looking to develop their mentorship skills and build meaningful connections. With practical tips, real-life examples, and insightful reflections, this book will guide you through the journey of becoming an extraordinary mentor who can inspire, challenge, and empower. Get ready to transform yourself and those around you.
- GenresBusinessNonfiction
1 pages, Audio CD
Published December 2, 2025
35 people are currently reading
606 people want to read
About the author
Brad Feld
34 books2,497 followersBrad Feld has been an early-stage entrepreneur and investor since 1987. He co-founded two venture capital firms, Foundry Group and Mobius Venture Capital, as well as multiple companies, including Techstars. Brad is a writer and speaker on venture capital investing and entrepreneurship and has written several popular books, including Venture Deals and Startup Communities. He runs the Anchor Point Foundation with his wife, Amy Batchelor.
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August 2, 2025
Book Review: Give First: The Power of Mentorship by Brad Feld
Rating: 4.8/5
Brad Feld’s Give First is a compelling manifesto on mentorship that transcends the transactional norms of professional networking. Drawing from his 35+ years as an investor and Techstars co-founder, Feld reframes mentorship as a selfless act of community-building, arguing that the real key to startup success lies in generosity without expectation.
Strengths and Emotional Resonance
Feld’s philosophy struck a personal chord. His distinction between “Give First” and “Pay It Forward”—emphasizing continuous generosity rather than reciprocal chains—challenged my mentorship habits. The chapter on failed mentorship was particularly moving; Feld’s vulnerability about missteps (e.g., overpromising to founders) humanizes his authority. As someone who mentors early-career environmental health specialists, I recognized the optimistic feedback loops he describes—where trust compounds like capital.
The Techstars Mentor Manifesto appendix is worth the price alone. Principles like “Be socratic” and “The best mentors don’t give advice” reframed my approach to guiding others. Feld’s case studies—from Boulder’s startup scene to global Techstars cohorts—show how Give First scales beyond individuals to ecosystems.
Constructive Criticism
While Feld’s anecdotes are vivid, the book could benefit from:
-Diverse perspectives: Most examples feature tech entrepreneurs; inclusion of non-profit or academic mentorship models would broaden applicability.
-Structural analysis: A deeper critique of systemic barriers (e.g., race/class disparities in access to mentors) would strengthen the community impact thesis.
-Measurement frameworks: How to quantify Give First’s ROI? Feld hints at vibrant communities as evidence, but metrics would help skeptics.
Summary Takeaways:
- Mentorship isn’t a transaction—it’s a mindset. Brad Feld’s playbook shows how generosity fuels innovation.
- The anti-Networking: Why giving without expectation is the ultimate career accelerator.
- From Techstars to your team: How to build cultures where mentorship thrives.
Final Thoughts
Give First is essential reading for entrepreneurs, educators, and anyone invested in human capital. Feld’s blend of memoir and manual—packed with no-nonsense strategies—offers a blueprint for transforming mentorship from privilege to practice. The book’s optimism is contagious; I finished it drafting emails to three junior colleagues I’d neglected.
Thank you to the publisher Ideapress and Edelweiss for the free review copy. This near-perfect guide earns a 4.8/5, docking only for its narrow industry focus. As Feld writes: “The best mentors plant trees under whose shade they’ll never sit.”
Key Academic Contributions
-Theory of Mindful Generosity: Positions Give First as distinct from reciprocal altruism, with empirical case studies.
-Pedagogical Tool: The Mentor Manifesto’s 10 principles (e.g., Default to transparency) are classroom-ready.
-Ecosystem Thinking: Demonstrates how micro-level mentorship aggregates into macro-level innovation networks.
For curriculum use: Pair with Venture Deals (Feld) for MBA programs, or The Unfinished Revolution (Gerson) for sociology courses.
Why This Matters Now
In a post-COVID world where 72% of Gen Z professionals report lacking career guidance, Give First offers a scalable antidote to isolation. Feld’s vision—that mentorship is oxygen for startups—applies equally to labs, studios, and boardrooms.
Rating: 4.8/5
Brad Feld’s Give First is a compelling manifesto on mentorship that transcends the transactional norms of professional networking. Drawing from his 35+ years as an investor and Techstars co-founder, Feld reframes mentorship as a selfless act of community-building, arguing that the real key to startup success lies in generosity without expectation.
Strengths and Emotional Resonance
Feld’s philosophy struck a personal chord. His distinction between “Give First” and “Pay It Forward”—emphasizing continuous generosity rather than reciprocal chains—challenged my mentorship habits. The chapter on failed mentorship was particularly moving; Feld’s vulnerability about missteps (e.g., overpromising to founders) humanizes his authority. As someone who mentors early-career environmental health specialists, I recognized the optimistic feedback loops he describes—where trust compounds like capital.
The Techstars Mentor Manifesto appendix is worth the price alone. Principles like “Be socratic” and “The best mentors don’t give advice” reframed my approach to guiding others. Feld’s case studies—from Boulder’s startup scene to global Techstars cohorts—show how Give First scales beyond individuals to ecosystems.
Constructive Criticism
While Feld’s anecdotes are vivid, the book could benefit from:
-Diverse perspectives: Most examples feature tech entrepreneurs; inclusion of non-profit or academic mentorship models would broaden applicability.
-Structural analysis: A deeper critique of systemic barriers (e.g., race/class disparities in access to mentors) would strengthen the community impact thesis.
-Measurement frameworks: How to quantify Give First’s ROI? Feld hints at vibrant communities as evidence, but metrics would help skeptics.
Summary Takeaways:
- Mentorship isn’t a transaction—it’s a mindset. Brad Feld’s playbook shows how generosity fuels innovation.
- The anti-Networking: Why giving without expectation is the ultimate career accelerator.
- From Techstars to your team: How to build cultures where mentorship thrives.
Final Thoughts
Give First is essential reading for entrepreneurs, educators, and anyone invested in human capital. Feld’s blend of memoir and manual—packed with no-nonsense strategies—offers a blueprint for transforming mentorship from privilege to practice. The book’s optimism is contagious; I finished it drafting emails to three junior colleagues I’d neglected.
Thank you to the publisher Ideapress and Edelweiss for the free review copy. This near-perfect guide earns a 4.8/5, docking only for its narrow industry focus. As Feld writes: “The best mentors plant trees under whose shade they’ll never sit.”
Key Academic Contributions
-Theory of Mindful Generosity: Positions Give First as distinct from reciprocal altruism, with empirical case studies.
-Pedagogical Tool: The Mentor Manifesto’s 10 principles (e.g., Default to transparency) are classroom-ready.
-Ecosystem Thinking: Demonstrates how micro-level mentorship aggregates into macro-level innovation networks.
For curriculum use: Pair with Venture Deals (Feld) for MBA programs, or The Unfinished Revolution (Gerson) for sociology courses.
Why This Matters Now
In a post-COVID world where 72% of Gen Z professionals report lacking career guidance, Give First offers a scalable antidote to isolation. Feld’s vision—that mentorship is oxygen for startups—applies equally to labs, studios, and boardrooms.
May 30, 2025
I recently had the privilege of reading this book ahead of its upcoming release and am impressed by its breadth, candor, and succinctness of a core message. Communities, ecosystems, and individuals grow when unencumbered by transactional boundaries, nurtured by genuine love and care, and tapping into the human spirit.
My first exposure to Brad's philosophy was after exiting my own technology company in 2010 that left me flailing for the "next". Mike Colwell and Christian Renaud were two guys who embodied mentorship deeply and one of them pointed me to Brad's blog. Blog posts, Startup Communities: Building an Entrepreneurial Ecosystem in Your City, his talk at Thinc Iowa and an evening fireside chat that went into the wee hours of the morning provided some of the earliest lessons in this book. I am glad to have them all in one place now.
Per its title, the book focuses on the power of mentorship. Mentorship, as different from advisory, consultative or other (read: paid) roles, begins with a spirit of giving of oneself. Chapters help you explore and articulate your own WHY but rightfully don't tell you what it should be. The book does, with radical candor, steer the reader away from what it shouldn't be (pay it forward or what can I do for you first mentality).
The book's meatiest section delves into mentorship - a selfless activity intended to show up completely, listen intently, guide lovingly, and step away when the mentee finds their momentum. Done right, a mentor-mentee relationship blossoms and the dividing line between mentee and mentor erases itself. Brad repeats David Cohen's legendary Techstars mentor manifesto blog post and then deconstructs the manifesto's 18 points through storytelling. There is an occasional blueprint (the 5 Whys), exhortation (always fulfill your promises, own your errors), but mostly friendly guidance.
Brad is a mentor in these bite-sized chapters - unable to listen to the reader's position but deftly reading the reader's mind and presenting scenarios to chisel away the advisory, consultative, parental, or professorial mindset.
Brad addresses a real problem that afflicts mentors, ecosystem builders, and even investors who fail to create and live by boundaries - fatigue. This fatigue, when spotted early allows mentors to adjust their own life to remain in their mentees, startups, community's life. When allowed to grow unabated, the fatigue can cause the mentor to pull the eject lever and remove themselves from the community.
In the final section of the book, the book begins to lift the reader out of the simple emotional pull of charity to the potent transformative power of the highly effective giving.
The book is a quick read to understand the macro view of #Givefirst via mentorship. However, the power of the book becomes clear with its role as a reference.
My first exposure to Brad's philosophy was after exiting my own technology company in 2010 that left me flailing for the "next". Mike Colwell and Christian Renaud were two guys who embodied mentorship deeply and one of them pointed me to Brad's blog. Blog posts, Startup Communities: Building an Entrepreneurial Ecosystem in Your City, his talk at Thinc Iowa and an evening fireside chat that went into the wee hours of the morning provided some of the earliest lessons in this book. I am glad to have them all in one place now.
Per its title, the book focuses on the power of mentorship. Mentorship, as different from advisory, consultative or other (read: paid) roles, begins with a spirit of giving of oneself. Chapters help you explore and articulate your own WHY but rightfully don't tell you what it should be. The book does, with radical candor, steer the reader away from what it shouldn't be (pay it forward or what can I do for you first mentality).
The book's meatiest section delves into mentorship - a selfless activity intended to show up completely, listen intently, guide lovingly, and step away when the mentee finds their momentum. Done right, a mentor-mentee relationship blossoms and the dividing line between mentee and mentor erases itself. Brad repeats David Cohen's legendary Techstars mentor manifesto blog post and then deconstructs the manifesto's 18 points through storytelling. There is an occasional blueprint (the 5 Whys), exhortation (always fulfill your promises, own your errors), but mostly friendly guidance.
Brad is a mentor in these bite-sized chapters - unable to listen to the reader's position but deftly reading the reader's mind and presenting scenarios to chisel away the advisory, consultative, parental, or professorial mindset.
Brad addresses a real problem that afflicts mentors, ecosystem builders, and even investors who fail to create and live by boundaries - fatigue. This fatigue, when spotted early allows mentors to adjust their own life to remain in their mentees, startups, community's life. When allowed to grow unabated, the fatigue can cause the mentor to pull the eject lever and remove themselves from the community.
In the final section of the book, the book begins to lift the reader out of the simple emotional pull of charity to the potent transformative power of the highly effective giving.
The book is a quick read to understand the macro view of #Givefirst via mentorship. However, the power of the book becomes clear with its role as a reference.
July 31, 2025
I didn't connect too much with this book. I was expecting a framework, or at least case studies, about mentor - mentee relatioships. My expectations really come from thinking mentorship could be much more impactful than it ever has beeen because of the coordination abilities of the internet, but there isn't anything about that.
It seems to me that paradigms like Big Brothers / Big Sisters, and even college students volunteering to tutor elementary kids, are there because of the potential for having outsized impacts on people's lives compared to when they don't happen. I would have thought the author, who has been a very successful technology investor, would help suss out / noodle out some paradigms or vectors that might allow impactful programs to scale beyond what they have always been. He also doesn't mention other mentor/mentee programs and their efficacy.
What I did like:
- The idea of helping others is the focus. That's kind of table stakes, though. Do you need to tell people to think of others? If you do need to tell someone that, are they going to hear it?
- The act of just asking someone 'why' 5x when they have a problem and a hothesis is really pretty helpful. It's like having a coach call out your splits at every 400. It's nice to have the coach there. It's nice to be the coach. You're a team. A good amount of the book is about that.
- My favorite quote from the book: "The next time you ask a question, empty your mind after the question and listen to the answer."
This is what I thought was lacking:
- How mentors and mentees find each other? This was all about a formal program with Techstars. There isn't a plan, process, or suggestion for how to enter these relationships
- The book doesn't question the quality of the advice mentors give. It's as if he assumed that financially successful people could explain why they were or apply that to adjacent problems. I've had more than a few people give me shitty advice, so my guard is up. It came from people who said they were mentors, but they really just wanted to think of themselves as mentors.
- Is subject matter expertise required? Perhaps engineering mentorship is entirely different from mentorship on analyzing financial statements or mentoring someone in sales?
- Mentorship to me is largely about trust and introductions to customers, markets, and alliances all with decision makers, in short, reputation-based, old as dirt, introductions. He talks about this dynamic, but I don't think he nailed the head of the nail about it. He introduces people by email, but doesn't drop anecdotes about how an introduction led to a huge transaction or problem. I'd expect he'd have both. The point is that introductions can frequently be more impactful than being a sounding board for ideas and solutions to problems.
- The book doesn't have an ending. It's like he ended it mid-sentence because there's no summation.
It seems to me that paradigms like Big Brothers / Big Sisters, and even college students volunteering to tutor elementary kids, are there because of the potential for having outsized impacts on people's lives compared to when they don't happen. I would have thought the author, who has been a very successful technology investor, would help suss out / noodle out some paradigms or vectors that might allow impactful programs to scale beyond what they have always been. He also doesn't mention other mentor/mentee programs and their efficacy.
What I did like:
- The idea of helping others is the focus. That's kind of table stakes, though. Do you need to tell people to think of others? If you do need to tell someone that, are they going to hear it?
- The act of just asking someone 'why' 5x when they have a problem and a hothesis is really pretty helpful. It's like having a coach call out your splits at every 400. It's nice to have the coach there. It's nice to be the coach. You're a team. A good amount of the book is about that.
- My favorite quote from the book: "The next time you ask a question, empty your mind after the question and listen to the answer."
This is what I thought was lacking:
- How mentors and mentees find each other? This was all about a formal program with Techstars. There isn't a plan, process, or suggestion for how to enter these relationships
- The book doesn't question the quality of the advice mentors give. It's as if he assumed that financially successful people could explain why they were or apply that to adjacent problems. I've had more than a few people give me shitty advice, so my guard is up. It came from people who said they were mentors, but they really just wanted to think of themselves as mentors.
- Is subject matter expertise required? Perhaps engineering mentorship is entirely different from mentorship on analyzing financial statements or mentoring someone in sales?
- Mentorship to me is largely about trust and introductions to customers, markets, and alliances all with decision makers, in short, reputation-based, old as dirt, introductions. He talks about this dynamic, but I don't think he nailed the head of the nail about it. He introduces people by email, but doesn't drop anecdotes about how an introduction led to a huge transaction or problem. I'd expect he'd have both. The point is that introductions can frequently be more impactful than being a sounding board for ideas and solutions to problems.
- The book doesn't have an ending. It's like he ended it mid-sentence because there's no summation.
June 11, 2025
I just finished Give First by Brad Feld, and it might be the most quietly transformative business book I’ve read in a long time.
It’s about mentorship, yes, but really it’s about how we show up in the world. As founders. As leaders. As people.
The core idea is deceptively simple: give first. Not in a transactional way, but also not in a one-sided, altruistic, charitable way. It is the idea of putting good out into the world with the belief that it will be returned, someday, somehow, in some form. That helped articulate a philosophy I have carried for a long time. I’ve called it pragmatic optimism, but "give first" captures it just as well.
I especially appreciated the distinctions Brad draws between "pay it forward," "give first," and charity. These aren’t just semantic differences. They cut to the heart of how we define obligation, transaction, and a more deeply connected, values-driven way of engaging with others. It is a philosophy rooted in action, optimism, and community accountability.
As the CEO of a startup, I found myself underlining not just the parts about ecosystems, but the parts about leadership. Give First challenged me to think more intentionally about how I lead my team, how I build trust, and how I shape relationships over time.
It is also sharp, funny, and genuinely humble, which is rare in startup writing. I especially resonated with the connection Brad draws to tzedakah, a Jewish principle of justice-based giving that I’ve been trying to integrate into every part of my life.
Reading this book made me want to be more deliberate in the communities I build, and more serious about becoming the kind of founder others can rely on.
Highly recommended to anyone building a company or a culture.
It’s about mentorship, yes, but really it’s about how we show up in the world. As founders. As leaders. As people.
The core idea is deceptively simple: give first. Not in a transactional way, but also not in a one-sided, altruistic, charitable way. It is the idea of putting good out into the world with the belief that it will be returned, someday, somehow, in some form. That helped articulate a philosophy I have carried for a long time. I’ve called it pragmatic optimism, but "give first" captures it just as well.
I especially appreciated the distinctions Brad draws between "pay it forward," "give first," and charity. These aren’t just semantic differences. They cut to the heart of how we define obligation, transaction, and a more deeply connected, values-driven way of engaging with others. It is a philosophy rooted in action, optimism, and community accountability.
As the CEO of a startup, I found myself underlining not just the parts about ecosystems, but the parts about leadership. Give First challenged me to think more intentionally about how I lead my team, how I build trust, and how I shape relationships over time.
It is also sharp, funny, and genuinely humble, which is rare in startup writing. I especially resonated with the connection Brad draws to tzedakah, a Jewish principle of justice-based giving that I’ve been trying to integrate into every part of my life.
Reading this book made me want to be more deliberate in the communities I build, and more serious about becoming the kind of founder others can rely on.
Highly recommended to anyone building a company or a culture.
September 1, 2025
"They can't kill you and they can't eat you" is a great reminder as an early stage founder.
As soon as I saw that quote in the first few pages, I paused reading and did a quick google search on Brad’s mentor, Len. This book was most certainly an awesome vessel for perpetuating Len's philosophy to young people figuring it out.
Here were a few of the highlights of the book for me:
1) Random Days! I'll definitely incorporate this into my life.
2) Living in a world of assertions + being careful to differentiate between data, fact, and opinion.
3) "Hold in confidence" & "FriendNA" → I loved the FriendNA waiver! I have it saved for a rainy day now.
4) I have a bit of a literal brain occasionally and although I have always wanted to appreciate "Do or do not, there is no try" as much as many do, I felt it was unfair to reduce effort down to binary failure or success. I appreciate Brad spelling out "Commit or do not commit" because I can now fully appreciate the quote!
5) "Belief is table stakes for succeeding," "hygiene issues," "price of admission" & what the baseline looks like for you. The systematic approach to reaching Inbox Zero is helpful to incorporate into my life!
6) "When you know someone is in distress, don't ask. Just do."
7) Anecdotes for every bullet point of the TechStars Manifesto - each one was gold: Fitbit, Nara Dinner, Robot Ball, Reid Hoffman's "the alliance," alike.
I'm very thankful Brad brought this insight into the world & that I could digest it sooner rather than later as Give First compounds with time.
A highly recommend this book to anyone interested in the business of investing & entrepreneurship - it’s truly the almanac to win-win abundance in this game.
As soon as I saw that quote in the first few pages, I paused reading and did a quick google search on Brad’s mentor, Len. This book was most certainly an awesome vessel for perpetuating Len's philosophy to young people figuring it out.
Here were a few of the highlights of the book for me:
1) Random Days! I'll definitely incorporate this into my life.
2) Living in a world of assertions + being careful to differentiate between data, fact, and opinion.
3) "Hold in confidence" & "FriendNA" → I loved the FriendNA waiver! I have it saved for a rainy day now.
4) I have a bit of a literal brain occasionally and although I have always wanted to appreciate "Do or do not, there is no try" as much as many do, I felt it was unfair to reduce effort down to binary failure or success. I appreciate Brad spelling out "Commit or do not commit" because I can now fully appreciate the quote!
5) "Belief is table stakes for succeeding," "hygiene issues," "price of admission" & what the baseline looks like for you. The systematic approach to reaching Inbox Zero is helpful to incorporate into my life!
6) "When you know someone is in distress, don't ask. Just do."
7) Anecdotes for every bullet point of the TechStars Manifesto - each one was gold: Fitbit, Nara Dinner, Robot Ball, Reid Hoffman's "the alliance," alike.
I'm very thankful Brad brought this insight into the world & that I could digest it sooner rather than later as Give First compounds with time.
A highly recommend this book to anyone interested in the business of investing & entrepreneurship - it’s truly the almanac to win-win abundance in this game.
November 4, 2025
I read the book summary on this via Summary.com. It really help to go look up the author's background, because it helps frame his discussions. This is really how he led TechStars.
The TechStars Manifesto:
Be Socratic.
Expect nothing in return (you’ll be delighted with what you do get back).
Be authentic—practice what you preach.
Be direct. Tell the truth, however hard.
Listen, too.
The best mentor relationships eventually become two-way.
Be responsive.
Adopt at least one company every single year. Experience counts.
Clearly separate opinion from fact.
Hold information in confidence.
Clearly commit to mentor or do not. Either is fine.
Know what you don’t know. Say “I don’t know” when you don’t know. “I don’t know” is preferable to bravado.
Guide, don’t control. Teams must make their own decisions. Guide, but never tell them what to do. Understand that it’s their company, not yours.
Accept and communicate with other mentors that get involved.
Be optimistic.
Provide specific actionable advice; don’t be vague.
Be challenging/robust but never destructive.
Have empathy. Remember that startups are hard.
The TechStars Manifesto:
Be Socratic.
Expect nothing in return (you’ll be delighted with what you do get back).
Be authentic—practice what you preach.
Be direct. Tell the truth, however hard.
Listen, too.
The best mentor relationships eventually become two-way.
Be responsive.
Adopt at least one company every single year. Experience counts.
Clearly separate opinion from fact.
Hold information in confidence.
Clearly commit to mentor or do not. Either is fine.
Know what you don’t know. Say “I don’t know” when you don’t know. “I don’t know” is preferable to bravado.
Guide, don’t control. Teams must make their own decisions. Guide, but never tell them what to do. Understand that it’s their company, not yours.
Accept and communicate with other mentors that get involved.
Be optimistic.
Provide specific actionable advice; don’t be vague.
Be challenging/robust but never destructive.
Have empathy. Remember that startups are hard.
October 6, 2025
On a Saturday morning, grab a cup of coffee and be inspired by the idea that there is a rich and powerful white man using his influence to help the business world do what is right. In Give First, Brad Feld offers counsel, wisdom, and curiosity freely. He lives and gives in the joy of mystery, trusting that generosity, once released, will find its way back, though not always in monetary form.
Feld challenges the long-standing rules of transactional networking, mentoring, and advising. He embraces what might be called the metaphysics of goodwill: the belief that energy given with pure intent flows back in ways we cannot predict. His message is radical to the business world, leading with generosity, curiosity, and without a strategic agenda for repayment.
Through stories, reflection, and the humility of someone who has seen both failure and success, Feld models what abundance looks like in action. He invites us to ride the intentions of the universe, to trust that doing good for its own sake is a worthwhile endeavor and perhaps the only one that truly sustains.
Feld challenges the long-standing rules of transactional networking, mentoring, and advising. He embraces what might be called the metaphysics of goodwill: the belief that energy given with pure intent flows back in ways we cannot predict. His message is radical to the business world, leading with generosity, curiosity, and without a strategic agenda for repayment.
Through stories, reflection, and the humility of someone who has seen both failure and success, Feld models what abundance looks like in action. He invites us to ride the intentions of the universe, to trust that doing good for its own sake is a worthwhile endeavor and perhaps the only one that truly sustains.
September 6, 2025
Give First, Inspiring, Insightful, A Great Read for Travel
As a long-time member of the Boulder entrepreneur community, I have to say that Brad was a true pioneer to the startup ecosystem and his infectious "Give First" mantra began long before he wrote this book. Years ago (25+), on my birthday at a restaurant at Boulder, I noticed Brad and his family and friends at a nearby table, When the check arrived, it had already been paid and stamped "Pay It Forward." Wow! To me, while Brad recognizes that "Give First" has no strings attached, this gesture was a nice prototype to Give First. Thank you, Brad, for all you do.
As a long-time member of the Boulder entrepreneur community, I have to say that Brad was a true pioneer to the startup ecosystem and his infectious "Give First" mantra began long before he wrote this book. Years ago (25+), on my birthday at a restaurant at Boulder, I noticed Brad and his family and friends at a nearby table, When the check arrived, it had already been paid and stamped "Pay It Forward." Wow! To me, while Brad recognizes that "Give First" has no strings attached, this gesture was a nice prototype to Give First. Thank you, Brad, for all you do.
June 24, 2025
For entrepreneurs, investors, or anyone who, in both business and life, wishes to engage more deeply with others. Brad Feld's new book, Give First: The Power of Mentorship, serves as a blueprint for transcending the limitations imposed by transactional thinking and a step-by-step guide for fostering deep connections through mentorship. It's also filled with first-hand anecdotes and reflections of a storied career by a person who is the living embodiment of what it means to Give First. It's a smooth and fun read, accessible to all. I recommend it to anyone.
June 8, 2025
Before this book, I didn't clearly distinguish between giving back and giving first. Now, I've actively started thinking about how I can give first, today, instead of waiting for tomorrow, when I can give back.
I really enjoyed all the first-hand experience stories! Great read, would recommend.
I really enjoyed all the first-hand experience stories! Great read, would recommend.
June 23, 2025
If you’re looking to mentor, start here
What Brad provides is an operating system for life. Find resting in the well-being and successive others in a community the community thrives and the donor excels in ways they never imagined. This is a must read with those who are looking to give advice to start up founders.
What Brad provides is an operating system for life. Find resting in the well-being and successive others in a community the community thrives and the donor excels in ways they never imagined. This is a must read with those who are looking to give advice to start up founders.
June 23, 2025
Give First is a powerful reinforcement of the core principle behind what I have espoused for year's under our company's Employee Supremacy philosophy; when you prioritize people over profit, lasting success follows. Brad Feld shows that generosity isn’t just good ethics—it’s good strategy. This book affirms that leading with empathy and purpose creates real value in business.
July 16, 2025
Very quick read to give a little explanation behind the 14 mentorship principles of Techstars, Feld's startup accelerator. Nothing too surprising or new here for those who already have a generous view of the world, and I'd recommend Adam Grant's book Give and Take as a better book on the topic (one which Feld himself references in this book).
August 25, 2025
I've met Brad a couple of times before in passing, read several of his books, and taught from a couple of them. I was really impressed at his vulnerability in sharing his story.
Give First has been a fulfilling life philosophy of mine for over 50 years, and Brad did a great job putting it to pen and paper.
I highly recommend this book and its philosophy.
Give First has been a fulfilling life philosophy of mine for over 50 years, and Brad did a great job putting it to pen and paper.
I highly recommend this book and its philosophy.
October 22, 2025
I'm enjoying my signed copy of "Give First". It's a powerful reminder of the importance of helping others, not just returning a favor, but also leaning in to genuinely assist them without any expectations.
Brad, thank you for a great book and all you have done to support so many people in Colorado, across the United States, and around the world!
Brad, thank you for a great book and all you have done to support so many people in Colorado, across the United States, and around the world!
June 5, 2025
Great stories and lessons for those in the startup world especially. From Fitbit to Gearbox, as a founder, these stories are very inspiring.
Was a very easy read. Bought this book from Brad in person.
Was a very easy read. Bought this book from Brad in person.
July 15, 2025
Thank you, Brad Feld, for releasing your new book, "Give First," to the world. It's a quick yet valuable read packed with wisdom.
Startups are hard and this book offers some pearls to make starting a company just a little bit easier.
Startups are hard and this book offers some pearls to make starting a company just a little bit easier.
July 28, 2025
Easy quick read. Finished in one setting. I like the author more than the book. It’s a bit all over but I fully support his principles and appreciate his advice and experience. Giving without a transactional approach of what’s in it for you is easy to endorse.
August 23, 2025
Feld breaks down the Techstars Mentor Manifesto into individual chapters which examples and advice and provides guidance on what Give First is and what it is not.
Not a long read and not exactly what I was expecting but solid advice regardless.
Not a long read and not exactly what I was expecting but solid advice regardless.
June 15, 2025
Insightful - and quick - read to codify the Give First philosophy, how to be a great mentor, and much more.
The layout and format of the book make it easy to digest and internalize.
#GiveFirst
The layout and format of the book make it easy to digest and internalize.
#GiveFirst
June 27, 2025
I like Brad
I like what he stands for. I like what he has
done. And I think this book is a way to show a bit more of that. Short and sweat read.
I like what he stands for. I like what he has
done. And I think this book is a way to show a bit more of that. Short and sweat read.
December 14, 2025
I love love love this book! I first met Brad back in 2012 when I invited him to speak to our Montana Programmers group in Missoula. He graciously accepted and it was a pivot point for the startup economy in Montana. I don't say that lightly, it's a fact. Soon after that we had the first Startup Weekend events in Montana and the flywheel was rolling. I bought this book a few weeks ago and read it cover to cover on a flight across the country. He's done a beautiful job of codifying his giving philosophy & I'm thrilled that it now has a name. Buy the book. Read the book. Give first, it will come back to you in the most amazing ways, as it has for me for over a decade now...
June 24, 2025
I've known Brad since I was a little kid, but connected back with him in a big way when I visited Boulder before running the Leadville 100 in 2013. Brad had recently completed a 50 mile race, and was my first ultra-distance Jedi + mentor. He's been a guardian angel for me since then; conversations with Brad have led to me quitting maybe 4 jobs by now and moving into better situations. Clear, honest, level conversations about hard situations I was going through are such a gift, and I don't have have many people in my life that I can go to for the tough ones.
Brad gave me a copy of this book a couple of months ago when I was dealing with a mentor figure that had let down a whole bunch of people around him. Our group was struggling with how to think about "advisors" for our new company, and along comes this manual. I read it in a day, and it clarified (as Brad often does for me) a whole batch of issues I had confused myself about. This is a guidebook about how to act, and also a rubric for finding people that you should attach yourself to for the long haul.
Buy the book, absorb the stories, and remember that being kind, available and helpful is not a complicated act.
Brad gave me a copy of this book a couple of months ago when I was dealing with a mentor figure that had let down a whole bunch of people around him. Our group was struggling with how to think about "advisors" for our new company, and along comes this manual. I read it in a day, and it clarified (as Brad often does for me) a whole batch of issues I had confused myself about. This is a guidebook about how to act, and also a rubric for finding people that you should attach yourself to for the long haul.
Buy the book, absorb the stories, and remember that being kind, available and helpful is not a complicated act.
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