A lot of advice I gave this batch was some version of noticing that one thing the company was doing was working, and encouraging them to prune everything else and focus on that one thing. For example, it's reasonable to try 5 different ways to get users, but if one of them works… Show more

Thiel fellowship should compete head on with Harvard. Backing up: Thiel Fellowship was started with the intent to show that you could get 20 kids a year to drop out of school and that they would be more successful as a result. It's clearly been a runaway success and the results… Show more

There is no ideal pitch deck. The narrative depends on what you’re building—but I really like this one: 1. Vision for the world in 5 years 2. The novel wedge that will get you there 3. How you plan to distribute it 4. What could go wrong 5. What you’ll prove by the time you need… Show more

You and your ragtag team of engineers likely won’t be able to create something that is competitive with any big incumbent product. However, you can build features, seed content, and brand it in a way that is so obnoxiously relevant for a particular group of people that their… Show more

Here's a common startup situation. A team busts their ass for months building the first version of their product. It's almost done. Now a big question emerges -- how do you get the first people to use your product? Hmm... If you find yourself at this moment, then you are already… Show more

hypothesis: 1. work feels bad (unmotivating, boring, hard) when we lack of focus 2. focus is upstream of energy, flow, fulfillment, progress, feedback loops what's upstream of focus? attention (presence) paired w/ agency (when our abilities and beliefs match our context) Show more

fyi, this is my application to the OP grant. building bridges from the idealists to the skeptics is my place in this world. @Optimism is putting resources & funds in the hands of artists. applications are still open. you should apply here — https://welovetheart.optimism.io

The future is self-employed New businesses formed in the US 🚀 2019: 3.5 million 2020: 4.4 million 2021: 5.4 million 2022: 5.1 million Only about 1/3rd of the applications filed in 2021 are for businesses deemed likely to hire employees Majority are self employed Source:… Show more

6. Company 6.1 Business Collectives - @try_pineapple by @david_diam - @vercinyc by @amiyoshimura_ - @_buildspace by @FarzaTV - @hamptonfounders by @thesamparr - @UseCollective by @JRauglaudre - @beondeck by @david__booth - @Bravado_sales by @SVMansuri

I don't have any 2024 startup predictions, but I do have a pocket guide for you ... This was 100% inspired by YC's pocket guide. H/T @mwseibel