Who Says I Can’t—Three Exits, Three Industries, and the Relentless Grit of Paul Dorney

Oct 22

OCTOBER 22, 2025 | 00:43 | Episode 92

Paul Dorney, Founder/CTO

Paul Dorney is a founder/CTO originally from Cork, Ireland, now living in Charleston. He’s built and scaled companies across fintech, sports tech, and prop tech—including the largest gig-economy platform for sports officials in the US—before moving into ed tech. Today he’s applying AI to transform higher education and fundraising at Gravyty, helping mission-driven organizations connect, grow, and thrive in entirely new ways.

ABOUT THIS EPISODE

Intro

Paul Dorney has significantly transformed the landscape of several industries through his entrepreneurial endeavors, particularly as the co-founder of Silbo, a platform designed to democratize youth sports officiating. In this conversation with Jothy Rosenberg, Paul elucidates his journey from a secure position at SAS to the challenging yet rewarding world of startups, emphasizing that the most pivotal decision for founders often lies in the strategic choice to decline opportunities that may stretch their resources too thin. He shares invaluable insights on the necessity of building cohesive teams, akin to a band where each member brings unique strengths to the table, rather than an interchangeable orchestra. Furthermore, Paul candidly reflects on the misconceptions surrounding product superiority in the startup realm, asserting that effective marketing and sales strategies are equally critical to success. This episode encapsulates the essence of startup reality, underscoring the importance of resilience, adaptability, and the relentless pursuit of growth amidst challenges.

Conversation

The conversation unfolds with the introduction of Paul Dorney, a distinguished entrepreneur whose ventures span diverse technological realms, including youth sports officiating, home inspections, and educational chatbots. Dorney recounts the genesis of his startup journey, originating from Cork, Ireland, and transitioning to Charleston, South Carolina. Notably, he elucidates the formation of Silbo, an innovative platform likened to Uber for youth sports officials. This venture emerged from a keen observation of the systemic issues plaguing youth sports officiating, leading to an endeavor aimed at democratizing access to officiating opportunities for aspiring referees. Dorney candidly shares the tribulations faced during Silbo's inception, emphasizing the crucial lesson that sometimes, the most prudent business decision is to decline opportunities that could jeopardize the operational integrity of the startup. He reflects on his evolution from a technical founder into a multifaceted entrepreneur adept at navigating the complexities of startup dynamics and team management, providing invaluable insights for both budding and seasoned entrepreneurs alike.

Takeaways

Paul Dorney emphasizes the critical importance of strategic decision-making, particularly the necessity of sometimes saying no to opportunities that may overextend a startup's resources.
The notion that having the best product guarantees success is a misconception; effective marketing and sales strategies are equally vital for achieving market traction.
Building a cohesive team is essential; Paul likens his successful startup teams to bands, where each member contributes unique and complementary skills rather than interchangeable capabilities.
A significant learning experience for Paul was navigating the complexities of startup growth, particularly the logistical challenges and the need for adaptability in operational strategies.
Paul advises aspiring founders to focus on building trust within their teams, as this foundation is crucial for navigating the tumultuous startup journey together.
Continuous education, particularly in areas like venture capital and market dynamics, is essential for technical founders seeking to broaden their entrepreneurial acumen and effectiveness.