Van Halen and Startups is an ongoing series of thoughts and observations that look at the parallels between the classic CD/Album, Van Halen 1, and startups. I will be looking through the lens of Van Halen 1 to discuss technology startup strategy.
The Blazing Center
I think one of the reasons VH1 is what it is, is the idea that leaders need to lead. Let me explain, everybody in the band played an absolute integral part, unquestionably, but Edward Van Halen played a irreplaceable role.

He was, if you will, the blazing center. He was the blazing center of Van Halen and certainly the blazing center of
Van Halen One. This is paralleled in the founders of startups. The right team is essential, but a blazing center is the fuel for any new company. What does the blazing center consist of? Hmmm… the blazing center is a combination of a few things:
- Vision
- Strategy
- Momentum
- Execution
- Differentiation
- Communication
The blazing center is the person that sees the future, and says let’s go get it, we can do this and here is how. The blazing center is the person who can see it. Who reaches out, and creates it.
Now let’s go do the great things we were made to do.