Boardrooms don’t need to feel like courtroom dramas. Alex talks with Breen Sullivan, former IP lawyer turned startup general counsel and founder of The Fourth Effect, about why startups avoid boards and how that fear slows growth. Breen explains that unclear incentives and weak frameworks—not the word “board” itself—block progress.
She breaks down how to reward advisors for real results, match timing to fit, and build diverse boards that unlock deals and prevent costly mistakes. The Fourth Effect adds AI to the mix, modeling startup goals, leadership styles, and workflows to keep relationships aligned and productive.
Global growth gets practical too—how to enter new markets, navigate investor norms, and use structures like a Delaware flip. The takeaway: create seats, define outcomes, align incentives, and let tech amplify trust and execution.
