Skip to content

Instantly share code, notes, and snippets.

@jefflab

jefflab/bh_startup_school.md

Created October 25, 2012 21:21
Show Gist options
  • Star 0 You must be signed in to star a gist
  • Fork 0 You must be signed in to fork a gist
  • Save jefflab/3955494 to your computer and use it in GitHub Desktop.
Save jefflab/3955494 to your computer and use it in GitHub Desktop.
Download ZIP
Ben Horowitz
Raw
bh_startup_school.md

Ben Horowitz

Quotes

Warren Buffet quote: "Best thing about being rich is that you don't have to do business with people you don't like"

Michael Jackson quote: "No matter how hard it looks, it's actually harder"

What Matters

Product Matters

Have to improve the way people do things by 10X. People won't go through switching cost for 2X better

Take the Market

No joy for #2 in the tech market

Difficulty

(related to story about when he was founder and stock was crashing)

Friend asks: "How you doing?" Ben: "I sleep like a baby" Friend: "Really?" Ben: "Yeah, I wake up every 2 hours crying"

Is it too late? Is software over?

Obviously, his answer is no, for the following reasons:

  • Wants become needs (refridgerator, car, etc)
  • Humans unsatisfiable by nature

VC

  • Technology companies follow power law curve
    • 15 companies account for 97% of market cap in 10 years (and those pay for all over VC)

What Adreeson/Horowitz looks for

  • breakthrough idea
  • founder w/ courage and skill

Leadership vs. Management

  • articulate vision that excites
  • will people work for you
  • competent enough to execute
Sign up for free to join this conversation on GitHub. Already have an account? Sign in to comment