“Startup Roundup #2” by Zvi

Previously: Startup Roundup #1.

This is my periodic grab bag coverage of various issues surrounding startups, especially but not exclusively tech-and-VC style startups, that apply over the longer term.

I always want to emphasize up front that startups are good and you should do one.

Equity and skin in the game are where it is at. Building something people want is where it is at. This is true both for a startup that raises venture capital, and also creating an ordinary business. The expected value is all around off the charts.

That does not mean it is the best thing to do.

One must go in with eyes open to facts such as these:

1. It is hard.
2. There are many reasons it might not be for you.
3. There are also lots of other things also worth doing.
4. If you [...]

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Outline:

(01:28) An Entrepreneur Immigration Program

(03:11) Times are Tough Outside of AI

(06:23) Times Otherwise Not So Tough

(08:19) Warning

(10:29) Red Flags

(12:35) Free Advice is Seldom Cheap

(15:45) Short Work

(18:07) The Founder

(19:24) Venture Capital Incentives

(29:27) The Margin of Difficulty

(33:27) Cold Outreach

(34:32) Associates at VC Firms Don’t Matter

(35:24) Lean Versus Fast

(35:59) Build Something People Want

(37:14) Get Them Early

(42:08) Learn to Code

(43:28) The Goal

(44:03) Working Hard

(46:26) Revenue

(48:37) The Place to Be

(50:50) YC Remains a Great Deal

(52:10) Hardware Startups

(52:41) How to Hire Well

(53:45) How to Check References

(54:24) You’re Fired

(55:43) Dealing With the Press

(56:47) Emotional Runway

(57:34) He Who Has the Gold

(58:19) Selling Out

The original text contained 6 images which were described by AI.

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First published:
August 6th, 2024

Source:
https://www.lesswrong.com/posts/LjRsHjQD2DGSRvJdt/startup-roundup-2

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Narrated by TYPE III AUDIO.

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