Yassine Kachchani

Sam Altman was the President of YC. Startup advice given at YC: - Launch right away - Launch 1st version you’re embarrassed about - Raise very little capital up front - Don’t take big R&D risk - Find PMF quickly, with ‘something’ Versus how he launched OpenAI: - Raised 1B dollars of capital before any PMF - Took 4 to 5 years after launch to release - Didn’t talk to users upon release Moral of the story? Be careful of textbook advice, no matter who it came from. Prioritise finding smart people with solid analytical skills, instead. Then, make educated bets together.

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10 Harvard-Founded, YC-Backed Unicorns Worth $141B 🦄 According to YC's website, the combined valuation of YC-backed startups is $600B. This means that ~1/4 of YC's value has been created by Harvard founders--Incredible! Stripe, Airbnb, & Rippling drive the power law (93% of value) Btw, who's in Boston this week?! Let's catch up -- Phoenix Fund invests in pre-seed and seed stage startups founded by students and alumni of Harvard/HBS

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After investing in 300 startups Brian Mac Mahon says  Build a niche and domain dominance. I recently spent 30 minutes with Brian Mac Mahon Who is the founder of Expert Dojo This is what he says to emerging VCs  On how to build a niche. 1/ Define Your Positioning:  Choose one audience, one value, one story. Narrow and unique wins. 2/ Build Authority: Start with content that addresses 3 recurring problems in your space. Speak to what you know, not what’s trending. 3/ Build Relationships Over Deals: Founders seek people, not wallets. Show how your insights solve founder pain points; this connects beyond just money. 4/ Scale Your Voice with Systems: Build a content engine. A blog, LinkedIn, and Twitter. Engage everywhere, and be part of conversations. 5/ Show, Don’t Tell: Post wins, stories, and portfolio highlights. Attract the attention of LPs by displaying your impact without hard pitches. How do you show your niche as a VC?  So I had this opportunity to spend some time with Brian Mac Mahon (details in the pinned comment)

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Learn how to pitch your startup from the world's best accelerator - Y Combinator! I’ve put together 7 slides with YC approach on how to pitch your startup. These slides cover the key questions every founder should be able to answer: 1) What do you do? 2) Market size 3) Progress 4) Unique insights 5) Business model 6) Team 7) What do you want? I also used these tips when raised $2.5M for Fluently: AI English coach. So they are really valuable! -- Save these slides for later and share them with founders in your network!

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Fundraising guide for SaaS Startups 👇 From crafting the perfect pitch to selecting the right investors, this guide is packed with insider tips to fuel your growth journey. 💼📈 PS. check out 🔔 for a winning pitch deck the template created by Silicon Valley legend, Peter Thiel https://lnkd.in/ejp-Bhnu

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60 questions to work on your startup by YC👇

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6 Articles Every Startup Founder Must Read. #startup #jol ▶ How to Start a Startup: A Guide for Entrepreneurs - Y Combinator https://lnkd.in/gDJnMNKQ ▶ The Lean Startup: How Today's Entrepreneurs Use Continuous Innovation to Create Radically Successful Businesses - Eric Ries https://lnkd.in/fuVyBPy ▶ Why Startups Fail: A New Roadmap for Entrepreneurs - Harvard Business Review https://lnkd.in/dx4QGvv ▶ The Secret to Scaling a Startup: Strategies for Growth - TechCrunch https://lnkd.in/gY4fNzuB ▶ Building a Great Company Culture: Lessons from Successful Startups - Inc. https://lnkd.in/gCeAwBjn ▶ The Art of Pivoting: How to Successfully Change Your Startup's Direction - Fast Company https://lnkd.in/gcjx5jUe

6 Articles Every Startup Founder Must Read. #startup #jol ▶ How to Start a Startup: A Guide for Entrepreneurs - Y Combinator https://lnkd.in/gDJnMNKQ ▶ The Lean Startup: How Today's Entrepreneurs Use Continuous Innovation to Create Radically Successful Businesses - Eric Ries https://lnkd.in/fuVyBPy ▶ Why Startups Fail: A New Roadmap for Entrepreneurs - Harvard Business Review https://lnkd.in/dx4QGvv ▶ The Secret to Scaling a Startup: Strategies for Growth - TechCrunch https://lnkd.in/gY4fNzuB ▶ Building a Great Company Culture: Lessons from Successful Startups - Inc. https://lnkd.in/gCeAwBjn ▶ The Art of Pivoting: How to Successfully Change Your Startup's Direction - Fast Company https://lnkd.in/gcjx5jUe

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The Ultimate Cheat Sheet collection for SaaS leaders & Founders - by Vencha, Included #VC & Notion Capital Here you have 15 cheat sheets on marketing, sales, fundraising, pitch decks and more: 💵 How to price and package your software ? 🎢 The 5 prospect stages 🚀How fundable is your company? 💸 Leadership transitions at different stages of business growth 🎯 SaaS monetisation in 8 steps 🕹️ Identifying your market: TAM, SAM & SOM demystified 🛠️ How to skyrocket SaaS sales? ⚖️ The ICP Grid, goal setting and how to prioritize ? #Fintech #saas #CheatSheet #isaphr #isapone #isapsolutions #starthubagency #isapinvestments www.isap.group www.isap.one www.isap.hr www.isap.agency www.isap.investments iSAP Solutions ltd iSAP ONE iSAP.HR StartHub.Agency iSAP Group Investments ltd Tino Herold

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The Ultimate Cheat Sheet collection for SaaS leaders & Founders - by Vencha, Included #VC & Notion Capital Here you have 15 cheat sheets on marketing, sales, fundraising, pitch decks and more: 💵 How to price and package your software ? 🎢 The 5 prospect stages 🚀How fundable is your company? 💸 Leadership transitions at different stages of business growth 🎯 SaaS monetisation in 8 steps 🕹️ Identifying your market: TAM, SAM & SOM demystified 🛠️ How to skyrocket SaaS sales? ⚖️ The ICP Grid, goal setting and how to prioritize ? #Fintech #saas #CheatSheet #isaphr #isapone #isapsolutions #starthubagency #isapinvestments www.isap.group www.isap.one www.isap.hr www.isap.agency www.isap.investments iSAP Solutions ltd iSAP ONE iSAP.HR StartHub.Agency iSAP Group Investments ltd Tino Herold

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The Ultimate Cheat Sheet collection for SaaS leaders & Founders - by Vencha, Included #VC & Notion Capital Here you have 15 cheat sheets on marketing, sales, fundraising, pitch decks and more: 💵 How to price and package your software ? 🎢 The 5 prospect stages 🚀How fundable is your company? 💸 Leadership transitions at different stages of business growth 🎯 SaaS monetisation in 8 steps 🕹️ Identifying your market: TAM, SAM & SOM demystified 🛠️ How to skyrocket SaaS sales? ⚖️ The ICP Grid, goal setting and how to prioritize ? #Fintech #saas #CheatSheet #isaphr #isapone #isapsolutions #starthubagency #isapinvestments www.isap.group www.isap.one www.isap.hr www.isap.agency www.isap.investments iSAP Solutions ltd iSAP ONE iSAP.HR StartHub.Agency iSAP Group Investments ltd Tino Herold

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The Ultimate Cheat Sheet collection for SaaS leaders & Founders - by Vencha, Included #VC & Notion Capital Here you have 15 cheat sheets on marketing, sales, fundraising, pitch decks and more: 💵 How to price and package your software ? 🎢 The 5 prospect stages 🚀How fundable is your company? 💸 Leadership transitions at different stages of business growth 🎯 SaaS monetisation in 8 steps 🕹️ Identifying your market: TAM, SAM & SOM demystified 🛠️ How to skyrocket SaaS sales? ⚖️ The ICP Grid, goal setting and how to prioritize ? #Fintech #saas #CheatSheet #isaphr #isapone #isapsolutions #starthubagency #isapinvestments www.isap.group www.isap.one www.isap.hr www.isap.agency www.isap.investments iSAP Solutions ltd iSAP ONE iSAP.HR StartHub.Agency iSAP Group Investments ltd Tino Herold

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The Ultimate Cheat Sheet collection for SaaS leaders & Founders - by Vencha, Included #VC & Notion Capital Here you have 15 cheat sheets on marketing, sales, fundraising, pitch decks and more: 💵 How to price and package your software ? 🎢 The 5 prospect stages 🚀How fundable is your company? 💸 Leadership transitions at different stages of business growth 🎯 SaaS monetisation in 8 steps 🕹️ Identifying your market: TAM, SAM & SOM demystified 🛠️ How to skyrocket SaaS sales? ⚖️ The ICP Grid, goal setting and how to prioritize ? #Fintech #saas #CheatSheet #isaphr #isapone #isapsolutions #starthubagency #isapinvestments www.isap.group www.isap.one www.isap.hr www.isap.agency www.isap.investments iSAP Solutions ltd iSAP ONE iSAP.HR StartHub.Agency iSAP Group Investments ltd Tino Herold

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The Ultimate Cheat Sheet collection for SaaS leaders & Founders - by Vencha, Included #VC & Notion Capital Here you have 15 cheat sheets on marketing, sales, fundraising, pitch decks and more: 💵 How to price and package your software ? 🎢 The 5 prospect stages 🚀How fundable is your company? 💸 Leadership transitions at different stages of business growth 🎯 SaaS monetisation in 8 steps 🕹️ Identifying your market: TAM, SAM & SOM demystified 🛠️ How to skyrocket SaaS sales? ⚖️ The ICP Grid, goal setting and how to prioritize ? #Fintech #saas #CheatSheet #isaphr #isapone #isapsolutions #starthubagency #isapinvestments www.isap.group www.isap.one www.isap.hr www.isap.agency www.isap.investments iSAP Solutions ltd iSAP ONE iSAP.HR StartHub.Agency iSAP Group Investments ltd Tino Herold

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The Ultimate Cheat Sheet collection for SaaS leaders & Founders - by Vencha, Included #VC & Notion Capital Here you have 15 cheat sheets on marketing, sales, fundraising, pitch decks and more: 💵 How to price and package your software ? 🎢 The 5 prospect stages 🚀How fundable is your company? 💸 Leadership transitions at different stages of business growth 🎯 SaaS monetisation in 8 steps 🕹️ Identifying your market: TAM, SAM & SOM demystified 🛠️ How to skyrocket SaaS sales? ⚖️ The ICP Grid, goal setting and how to prioritize ? #Fintech #saas #CheatSheet #isaphr #isapone #isapsolutions #starthubagency #isapinvestments www.isap.group www.isap.one www.isap.hr www.isap.agency www.isap.investments iSAP Solutions ltd iSAP ONE iSAP.HR StartHub.Agency iSAP Group Investments ltd Tino Herold

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The Ultimate Cheat Sheet collection for SaaS leaders & Founders - by Vencha, Included #VC & Notion Capital Here you have 15 cheat sheets on marketing, sales, fundraising, pitch decks and more: 💵 How to price and package your software ? 🎢 The 5 prospect stages 🚀How fundable is your company? 💸 Leadership transitions at different stages of business growth 🎯 SaaS monetisation in 8 steps 🕹️ Identifying your market: TAM, SAM & SOM demystified 🛠️ How to skyrocket SaaS sales? ⚖️ The ICP Grid, goal setting and how to prioritize ? #Fintech #saas #CheatSheet #isaphr #isapone #isapsolutions #starthubagency #isapinvestments www.isap.group www.isap.one www.isap.hr www.isap.agency www.isap.investments iSAP Solutions ltd iSAP ONE iSAP.HR StartHub.Agency iSAP Group Investments ltd Tino Herold

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7 Most Unexpected Startup Acquisitions That Changed Everything 🚀 History's biggest deals aren't always the most interesting. Here are the acquisitions that rewrote the rules: 1. Instagram (2012) - Acquisition Price: $1B - Company Age: Just 13 months - Instagram Users: Only 30M - Instagram's Value Today: $200B+ - The Plot Twist: Zuckerberg closed the deal personally in 3 days at his home, bypassing usual corporate process 2. Android (2005) - Acquisition Price: $50M - Employees: Only 8 people - Product: Not even launched - Value Today: Worth estimated $500B+, powers 70% of world's smartphones - The Plot Twist: Google bought it before they had a mobile strategy 3. YouTube (2006) - Acquisition Price: $1.65B - Company Age: 18 months - Initial Investment: $11.5M - Value Today: $180B+ - The Plot Twist: Google outbid Viacom by negotiating at a Denny's restaurant 4. PayPal (2002) - Acquisition Price: $1.5B - Interesting Detail: Still eBay's biggest success story - Return: 5000%+ for early investors - The Plot Twist: eBay's users forced the acquisition by preferring PayPal over eBay's own payment system 5. WhatsApp (2014) - Acquisition Price: $19B - Engineers: Only 50 - Marketing Budget: $0 - Users: 450M - The Plot Twist: Deal started over coffee and was closed over Valentine's Day dinner 6. Pixar (1986) - Acquisition Price: $5M (by Steve Jobs) - Original Purpose: Hardware company - Initial Value: Lost $40M before finding success - The Plot Twist: George Lucas sold it because of divorce settlement needs 7. LinkedIn (2016) - Acquisition Price: $26.2B - Interesting Detail: Microsoft's largest acquisition at the time - Premium Users: Only 2% of total users - Value Today: $350B+ contribution to Microsoft's valuation (2023) - The Plot Twist: Deal done in secret at CEO's house over breakfast Key Lesson: The biggest value isn't always obvious at first glance. Sometimes the most transformative deals look strange at the time. What overlooked company today could be tomorrow's game-changing acquisition? #Startups #Acquisitions #VentureCapital

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Founders: writing a business plan is key for fundraising. 💰 (here is a template by Sequoia Capital) To approach VCs, you need to have a clear narrative. This is your business plan. It helps articulate your value. Here is how to structure it: → 𝗣𝘂𝗿𝗽𝗼𝘀𝗲: define your company in a single sentence. This is harder than it looks, it’s easy to get caught up listing features instead of communicating your mission. → 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗯𝗹𝗲𝗺: describe the pain of your customer. How is this addressed today and what are the shortcomings to current solutions. → 𝗦𝗼𝗹𝘂𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻: explain your eureka moment. Why is your value prop unique and compelling? Why will it endure? And where does it go from here? → 𝗪𝗵𝘆 𝗻𝗼𝘄? This reminds me of the story of Google. Right time, right place, right team = amazing product and company. → 𝗠𝗮𝗿𝗸𝗲𝘁 𝗽𝗼𝘁𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗮𝗹: identify your customer & your market Some of the best companies invent their own markets. Think about Amazon with AWS, the cloud wasn't even a concept back then. → 𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗽𝗲𝘁𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗮𝗹𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗻𝗮𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲𝘀 Who are your direct and indirect competitors. Show that you have a plan to win. Show that you understand the environment in which you evolve. → 𝗕𝘂𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝗺𝗼𝗱𝗲𝗹: how do you intend to thrive? → 𝗧𝗲𝗮𝗺: tell the story of your founders and team members. → 𝗙𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗶𝗮𝗹𝘀: include today and tomorrow → 𝗩𝗶𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻: if all goes well, what will you have built in 5years? However, as Sequoia said, they invested in Airbnb because of the founders' ideas, their thoughts process, their ambition, not because of their slides. Credit Hugo Rauch, follow for more insights. #Startup #innovation #entrepreneurship #sustainability #investing #networking #venturecapital

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