Twitch Began as Justin Kan’s 24/7 Headcam
Justin Kan back when what later became Twitch was just him walking around with a camera on his head 24/7. https://t.co/zSbkhtzGPe
Startup Ideas Need Early Adopters, Not Network Dependence
A startup idea that only works if there are already a significant number of people using it is not a valid startup idea. There has to be some subset of users who need what you're making so desperately that they'll...
AI's Potential Outpaces Funding: Altman's For‑Profit Miss
One of the things Musk vs Altman shows is how much more promising AI is than anyone expected. Sam could have started it as a for-profit company. His life would be much simpler now if he had. But he didn't...
Startup Success Proves Wealth Can Come Ethically
A friend's startup is growing at 93% a month. I pointed out that her net worth is also growing at 93% a month, and that she can thus feel, in her own life, the falsity of politicians' claim that you...
Hobbyist Passion Keeps Founders Working Past Profit
It's an unimpressive-sounding word, but one of the most powerful motivations is the motivation of the hobbyist. That's what keeps successful founders working on their companies long past the point when they've made enough to quit. It's their beloved project.
Build a Fast‑growing Company by Meeting Real Demand
Sure you can earn a billion dollars. I've been teaching people how to do it for 20 years. The way you do it is to start a company that grows fast. You don't have to do anything bad to make...
Growth Rate Is Startup’s Vital Pulse—Launch First
By default my first question to any startup is "What's your growth rate?" That's the patient's pulse. Which is why we push startups to launch. Till then you have no pulse; till then you have no idea if you're doing...
Churchill’s Prolific Writings Rival His Political Career
Winston Churchill's collected works. Somehow he managed to write all of these as well as being a politician. He mostly dictated them, but that's just as much work for the brain, if not for the hand. https://t.co/CWSAq8LtOD
Europe's Garage Shortage Stifles Outlier Innovation
It could actually be a significant problem that Europe doesn't have enough garages. This sounds like a joke, but I'm serious. Garages let you work on stuff that doesn't matter yet, which is how big things often start. The outliers...
Fund's Fake “Alumni Priority” Window Is a Scam
I got a mass email from a fund that claims they invest in YC startups "during the Alumni priority investment window." In fact there is no such thing as an "Alumni priority investment window."
1950s Omega Automatics: Affordable, Accurate, Pure Joy
Omega automatics from the 1950s are accurate, cheap, and very pleasing. If you want an old watch that will make you happy, it's hard to think of a safer bet. https://t.co/ZRG2o96ZPa
Avoid Companies That Disrespect Customers; Quality Requires Respect
Don't join a company or industry that has contempt for its customers. You can make a lot of money that way, and of course it gives you a feeling of superiority, but you'll never do great work for a market...
Skip Consulting After Graduation: Pursue Better Opportunities
This is an instance of the more general principle: If you are graduating university and are about to join a consulting firm, don't do that.
Swedish Founders' Earnestness: An Underrated Asset in Entrepreneurship
Jessica and I have been talking about how earnest Swedish founders seem. Obviously it's news to no one that Swedes would be earnest. But I don't think they themselves realize how valuable this quality is for founders specifically. https://t.co/251q8RSQ0Z
Stockholm: A City That Feels Like Home
We're in Stockholm. You know how there are some places where you think "Nice place to visit, but I wouldn't want to live there"? Stockholm is the kind of place that makes you want to live there.