Lean Startup is about experimentation and learning. It’s about being intellectually honest and methodical in your approach. It’s about going slow before going fast. It’s about moving backward before moving forward. Investing on the other hand is about storytelling and big vision. It’s also about proof and hockey stick traction. So when raising money how […]
Are You Really As Far Along As You Think?
In Lean Analytics, Alistair and I identified five stages that a startup goes through from the original idea to big-time success. Those stages include: Empathy: This is where you work to identify a problem worth solving, mostly by engaging in customer interviews and collecting qualitative feedback. Stickiness: Now you build an initial MVP and test […]
Governments Should Fund Startup Travel Programs
Occasionally I meet a government official and he asks me, “What should the government do to help startups?” I always say the same four things: Provide funds Get out of the way Make startup visas a reality (but this is a conversation for another day) And launch a startup travel program Most governments already provide […]
Lean Analytics is Now Available to Order (and you can win great prizes too!)
I know this blog has been quiet of late, but it’s with good reason. Lean Analytics is finally done and available for order. Find it in a bookstore near you soon. Or, if you’re too eager and can’t wait to get to a bookstore (yes, they still exist!), you can buy the book on Amazon […]
Enough Free Content
I produce a fair amount of content, and I give most of it away for free. I’m writing a book, and although the book costs money, it’s basically free (~$16 for the hard cover and ~$10 for the e-book); priced so low that it really shouldn’t be an issue for people. Plus it took over […]
Buy Lean Analytics and Win Some Amazing Prizes
Lean Analytics is almost finished. It’s being printed as we speak and should be available in mid/late March. You can pre-order the book today. And if you do, you’ll have a chance to win some incredible prizes. You can learn more here about our sweepstakes: http://bit.ly/15a5ObV All you have to do is pre-order the book […]
6 Things You Need to Pivot Successfully
Pivot. We’re all familiar with the word — and many people now roll their eyes when they hear it. The word has been bastardized, overused, and taken out of context. But it doesn’t mean pivots aren’t important. Dont hate the word, hate the people that use it incorrectly and ignore its importance. Pivot. Say it […]
Don’t Sell Solutions to Universal Problems
“Would you like to make more money?” “Is hiring people hard?” “Are you overwhelmed by email?” “Do you wish you were healthier and more fit?” For most people the only answer to these questions is “yes”. They’re truisms. Universal truths. Universal problems. And they’re unsolvable. Too many startups confuse big vision and trying to solve […]
When is it Time to Pivot or Quit?
Entrepreneurs aren’t quitters. To succeed you need to be resilient, thick skinned and borderline crazy. You need to have just the right amount of delusion to believe you can succeed, spurring you on despite the absurd odds. But sometimes, you have to quit. On the other hand, sometimes you need to pivot. Unfortunately, many entrepreneurs […]
Localmind Acquired by Airbnb – Year One Labs has its First Exit
Today, I’m pleased to announce that Localmind has been acquired by Airbnb. See Techcrunch’s story and Airbnb’s blog post for more info. Localmind was Year One Labs’ first investment, and it’s our first exit as well. It’s a fantastic day for the team: Lenny Rachitsky, Beau Haugh and Nelson Gauthier. They worked like crazy over […]
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