Vectors - September 2017
Questions to Help You Hire Smart
             
At the Autism Society National Conference, Kevin and Ronit Molko meet the newest Sesame Street star Julia, who has autism.
While it can be tempting to take a few shortcuts in your hiring process to get someone in as quickly as possible, it's always worth taking a step back to make sure you're asking the right questions to get the right candidate. Here are a few of the questions we've found that lead to hiring success:
  • What is the one thing about our company I'd want this person to stay up at night thinking about, whether leads, new customers, revenue, or public relations?
  • What are the specific results I need this person to achieve in the first 90 days?
  • What economic value do I expect this person to generate, and what am I willing to pay to get that?
  • What expectations do I have of this person in terms of time, effort, connections and corporate culture (integrity, communications, availability, leadership/initiative, fundamental beliefs, etc.)?
Once you've answered those questions for yourself (before your search starts, so that you aren't subconsciously answering the questions in a way that leads you to a certain candidate), it will make the conversations with all candidates much more focused, and help ensure that you make a smart hiring decision.

If you're looking for more guidance on hiring the right people, contact us for planning advice today at info@arccd.com. 
Rita hosted an EdTech dinner at Arc SRQ with Carmi Paris, Andrew Pass, Marilyn Trow, Carol Wolff, Melissa Davis and Meghan Davis.
Arc Client and Portfolio News

Arc portfolio company CatchON won Best of Show at ISTE 2017 from Tech and Learning Magazine .

Arc portfolio company Choosito , funded by NSF is a smart search engine tool powered by AI that automates how you index results by reading level, recently partnered with The Business of Doing Good , an entrepreneurship program for middle-schoolers, to conduct a "Choosito v. Google challenge" at the Philadelphia Apple store.
What We're Reading

Arc was featured in Dr. Rod Berger's column in Forbes  , on the ins and outs of making investments in the ed tech industry.

Kevin and wife Karen, founder of StART ( Stroke Active Recovery Therapy), o n a rafting trip with some of her clients and their families.
Thinking about applying to a Business Plan competition? Read Barbara Kurshan's  overview on the opportunities and drawbacks that you should consider.

The Girl Scouts have added 23 new STEM badges to encourage girls in science and tech. Scouts can now earn badges in designing robots and coding, in addition to legacy badges of first-aid and hiking.

Proposal submission for ISTE 2018 is now open through September 29.
Rita discusses education policy issues with Senator Tim Kaine (D-VA) of the HELP Committee.
Government Relations Update

As the House and Senate advance bills, the federal education funding picture is getting clearer - but with only approximately 40 legislative days left in the year, the immediate list of priorities is robust:
  • Funding Government
  • Raising Debt Ceiling
  • Disaster Relief for Harvey & Irma
  • Tax Reform
  • Immigration
  • Health Care (potentially)
  • Confirmation & Nominations for Openings
  • Reauthorization of CHIP; FAA; National Flood Insurance
Congress passes $3B expansion of GI Bill education benefits - is this an opportunity for your company?

Education is a regulated industry. If you are selling at the federal or state level, you need to intimately understand the dynamics at work to be effective. For more on how Arc can help you navigate government relations at every level, contact Rita@arccd.com .
What We're Up To
Kevin was honored by the Autism Society of America for his six years of service on the national board.

The Education Entrepreneur year-long capstone course kicked off at the UPenn Graduate School of Education. Rita is privileged to serve as the UPenn GSE-Education Entrepreneurship Capstone Course Instructor, working with brilliant students.







Upcoming Events

September
  • 9/ 17-19: EdNet, Scottsdale, AZ (Kevin attending)  
  • 9/20-21: Village Capital cohort mentoring, Denver (Kevin speaking)
  • 9/25-26: EdTech Investor Summit & Demo Day , Boston (Rita speaking)
  • 9/25-30: Tippy Talk, Arc Portfolio Company site visit, Ireland (Kevin) 
  • 9/28-10/1: World Rowing Championships , Sarasota (Rita head volunteer for Para-Rowing Competition)
October
  • 10/8: Education Entrepreneur Capstone Class, University of Penn-GSE (Rita facilitating Mentor Program)
  • 10/12-13: Rita & Kevin  in NYC with clients
  • 10/17-20: Closing the Gap Conference, Minneapolis (Kevin attending)
November
  • 11/5: Education Entrepreneur Capstone Class, University of Penn-GSE (Rita)
  • 11/6: Bootcamp for EdTech Companies: Exploring the Funding Landscape, University of Penn-GSE (Rita facilitating)
  • 11/8: Drexel StartUp Fest, Philadelphia (Rita attending)
  • 11/9: New Schools Ventures Cohort Day, Silicon Valley (Kevin speaking)
What Arc is Looking for Now

Arc is looking to work with a few select growing education technology companies in an advisory, board or coaching role. More than 80 percent of the companies that have worked with Arc received an external capital infusion or acquisition offers within a year. Arc will also consider a few investment opportunities. If you know of a company positioned for strategic growth, please let us know.

Finally, because education is a regulated industry, education companies need to incorporate a government relations plan in order to optimize revenue. Arc's strong government and grassroots relationships, education industry expertise and business acumen allow for successful advocacy at both the federal and state levels. Check out our Web site at www.arccd.com or e-mail us at info@arccd.com.
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