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🌱 The Power of Growth: Realizing the Importance of Having a Team 🌱 Every entrepreneur's journey teaches unique lessons. In my first steps as a solo founder, one truth became crystal clear: while individual passion ignites the spark, it's the right partnerships that create lasting flames. Today, I'm thrilled to welcome Le Thi Minh Yen - Yewie L. to my team! 🤝 I'll never forget my first interaction with Yen. During a casual sharing session about AI technologies with friends, I witnessed something remarkable. While others were content with surface-level understanding, Yen's eyes lit up with an intensity I rarely see. She dove deep into every concept, pushing past basic explanations, hungry to understand even the most complex aspects - from advanced algorithms to coding fundamentals. Her relentless curiosity and determination to master new skills, regardless of their complexity, left a lasting impression on me. That's what makes Yen unique—her extraordinary drive to learn and grow isn't just about personal gain. As the current President of BUV Investing Club and former co-founder of GenStock (which reaches over 4,000 students), she channels this same energy into creating value for others. Her ability to rapidly absorb complex information and transform it into actionable insights has already made her an invaluable asset to our team. What truly excites me is how her intellectual curiosity and determination align perfectly with our vision for growth. In Yen, I've found not just a team member but a driven force who shares the same passion for pushing boundaries and exploring new frontiers. As we embark on this new chapter together, I'm reminded that true leadership isn't about doing everything alone - it's about joining forces with those whose drive matches your own. Here's to growing stronger together! 🌟 #Entrepreneurship #Teamwork #Growth #Leadership #Innovation #StartupLife

If you want to build something that lasts, democratize ideation and decentralize execution. Here’s why. Too many businesses fail because they rely on a single mind or a small group at the top to generate all the ideas. The speed of the game has changed. While ideas are the currency of the future, you can’t afford to limit where those ideas come from. Democratizing ideation is about creating a culture where everyone on the team is empowered and encouraged to ideate. From the intern to the executive, ideas should be free to flow from anywhere. Think of it like this: the best ideas usually come from the ground floor—those who are closest to the problem often have the most insight into the solution. Everyone should feel like their ideas matter, because they do. It’s more about unlocking the collective genius in the room, not waiting for one individual to have a breakthrough. When you democratize ideation, you create an unstoppable idea engine—because the more ideas that flow, the greater the chance for innovation. Addressing decentralizing execution. This is where most founders fail—they hoard decision-making. But if you’re serious about scale, you have to learn to let go. If you try to execute everything from the top, you slow the system down. Truth is, speed comes from trust—trusting your people to make decisions and act on the ideas that emerge. It’s about pushing authority to the edges, where your team is closest to the action. This not only accelerates execution, but it also breeds a culture of conscious ownership. The best companies of the future will not be led by single, dictatorial visionaries. Instead, they will be built by distributed teams, aligned by purpose, but liberated to execute on ideas as they emerge. That’s how you scale a movement. Founders who understand this will win because they realize that power doesn’t come from control—it comes from empowerment. The real trick is letting go of the need to be the only source of vision, while being strategic enough to guide the energy in the right direction. As a founder, You are a curator, a filter, and not the sole creator. Stay ahead. Everyday is a new reality! #anyalewechiprecious #drubix #founder #everydayisanewreality

How did Founder Mode become such a seminal and widely shared piece of communication so quickly? If you’re not chronically online, here's some context - Recently coined by the founder of Y Combinator Paul Graham, Founder Mode describes a modus operandi where founders are involved in every minutiae of their business - as opposed to the conventional wisdom of delegating to experienced managers, or “manager mode.” It’s hard for tech news - let alone blog posts - to penetrate the mainstream consciousness. But within 24 hours of its release, the New York Times ran a story: Why Silicon Valley Is Abuzz Over Founder Mode. Why has this essay struck such a chord and achieved virality? How did Founder Mode not only cut through the noise, but become the entire noise? It’s because it followed four principles of effective communication. 1. It rallied a tribe 2. It used polarization to highlight core values. 3. It was a distinctive message that went against accepted wisdom. 4. It reframed something shameful as something sexy I unpack these further in my latest installment of Clapback - a playbook for strategic communication. I’d love to know your thoughts on Founder Mode as a piece of communication - look forward to discussing in comments! #foundermode #startups #paulgraham #venturecapital

After years of working closely with successful founders - YC graduates, and founders who've raised millions and exited businesses - I've noticed a pattern. Every founder, regardless of industry or scale, falls into one of these four categories: 1. The Dreamer: Mission-driven to build for a better future. They're fueled by hope and a desire to make a positive impact. Like David Pruwer making couples therapy accessible and Dan Deviri fighting climate change through CO2 absorption. 2. The Visionary: Revolutionary thinkers aiming to shake the status quo. They see possibilities where others see limitations. Like Jeremy Suard transforming underground mapping solutions and Tal Kreisler improving mobility and traffic efficiency. 3. The Engineer: Problem-solvers who've experienced specific business or consumer pain points. They're driven to fix what they know is broken. Like former brand owner Lioran Pinchevski fixing DTC bookkeeping and Alon Joffe powering better mental care for people like himself 4. The Innovator: Adaptors who take proven concepts from one arena and apply them to new spaces. They excel at cross-pollinating ideas. Like Noam Szpiro bringing price optimization from ride sharing to eCommerce and Evyatar Ben Artzi leveraging AI to help plaintiffs fight for justice. Here’s the thing. I don’t believe one of these founder types is any better than the others. But the key is understanding who you are. It helps you recognize your strengths, find complementary co-founders, and build more balanced teams. Which type resonates with you? Who are you betting on?

I wanted to share some thoughts on what makes a founder tick ⭐ Let's start with problems - Founders are drawn to them like moths to a flame! 🔥 When they see an issue, Their brains go into overdrive thinking about how to solve it. They peel back every layer of the onion to understand the root causes. Founders tend to have wide-ranging interests across industries, history, philosophy... You name it! They’re always exploring to gather inspiration from unexpected places. Rather than accepting the status quo, founders constantly ask “Why?” ❓ They challenge assumptions and look at issues from unconventional angles. We need that kind of creative thinking to take on problems that have stuck around for decades. 🧠 Now, tbh, their drive for speed and focus on outcomes over consensus can be jarring. The urgency is core to the founder's identity. For founders, doing is thinking 🤔 They have to get something out there to test assumptions and iterate. No pontificating on perfection. And while most see constraints as limitations, Founders view them as catalysts for innovation. They love the creativity required to do more with less. Founders also understand the power of structured collaboration. Many minds are better than one! But it takes intentionality to build teams that constructively channel individual talents. 💪 Even in uncertainty, founders act decisively to gather information. Paralysis by analysis is not their style! And most importantly, founders take complete ownership. 📝 They don't just own a piece of the problem - They own the whole damn thing from start to finish. The founder mindset is a muscle anyone can build, Whether or not they start a company. We just need to get comfortable with a little discomfort! #foundermindset #entrepreneurlife #startuplife #thinkoutofthebox

The insights below come from a Y Combinator talk I recently watched, and I couldn’t agree more with the advice shared by Michael Seibel. - Team: You need 2-4 tech-savvy colleagues, each with about a year's worth of savings. Everyone should be ready to quit their jobs and go all-in. - Problem-Solving: Start with a problem you're deeply familiar with—something that affects you daily or weekly, not just monthly. Focus on pain points you experience firsthand. - Market Research: Know your competition. Use them to refine your product and find market gaps you can fill. - Legal Stuff:Incorporating in the US? Use tools like Clerky to make it simple. - MVP (Minimum Viable Product): Get your product into users' hands FAST. YC's advice? LAUNCH! If it’s taking longer than 2 months, rethink your approach. You’re invisible until you launch. -  PR & Growth: Do your own PR! In the early days, you can handle 99% of it yourself. Tell your story and get the word out. - Fundraising: Speed is key. Schedule all investor meetings within a week to create buzz and urgency. Investors act on FOMO—build momentum and talk to as many as possible, fast. - Hiring: Hire people smarter than you. Your first few hires should elevate the team, be risk-takers, and align with your vision. Be transparent and fair about equity. What’s the biggest challenge you're facing in getting your startup off the ground? Link to the talk: https://lnkd.in/gEUh3756 #startup #entrepreneurship #growth #fundraising #YC #sanfrancisco Reddit, Inc. Twitch Ramp-Up Lab #investors

Founder is a Mode. Paul Graham recently wrote about 'Founder Mode'. I am sure this will gather momentum as a reason for founders to be protected at all costs as a companies scale. But, I think the piece is more nuanced than that. It is about a mode, not a person. A mode that great founders have which allows them to out perform when contrasted with 'Manager Mode'. We can't be founder zealots here leading to inexperienced, unhappy people running complex organisations with thousands of employees, just because Paul Graham said. We need to understand what is behind founder mode. #1 Founders think differently. No doubt. They are the seed. They have a commitment to an idea that needs to become manifest before anyone else believes, before compensation, before proof, before anyone is trying to optimise, automate or build culture. They are the original believer. I think this is the core of founder mode and it is something that is hard for any future manager to acquire. It is the DNA, the instruction set that weaves through everything that comes next. If it is highly tuned and responding to its environment, it is a powerful force. #2 Next, founders need a capacity for synthesis and learning that is super human. As the seed grows into a complex organism, the core idea needs to resonate with its environment and the founder needs to know where to flow and adapt. This includes assembling the right team who know how to build the ideas that need to become real. #3 Finally, there is the important point Graham makes about resisting gaslighting. As companies grow, investors (guilty!) and employees, tell founders they are not thinking about the job to be done 'correctly'. That their experience suggests a better way. They maybe right, but it is the CEOs job to synthesis this and find the clear path through. And Point #1 suggests that founder mode can be a powerful filter for that. WDYT? - I'm a Partner at Main Sequence, a VC purpose-built to create global companies from scientific ideas with the inventors who imagine them. I build-out-loud here: https://lnkd.in/gENhMrbU

Imagine missing out on the next unicorn because your brain decided to take a shortcut. It's happening more often than you think, and it's costing VCs millions. Unconscious bias can blind even the most well-intentioned investors. Our brains process only 40 bits out of 11 million bits of information we receive every moment. The shortcuts we use to fill the gaps? They're shaped by our experiences, cultural norms, and personal beliefs. For VCs, this means you might be overlooking the next unicorn simply because the founder doesn't fit your mental image of success. Let's change that: 1️⃣ Recognize Your Biases: • Do you tend to invest in founders who remind you of yourself? • Are you asking different questions to female vs. male founders? 2️⃣ Audit Your Question Types: • Promotional: "How will you become the market leader?" • Prevention: "How will you mitigate potential risks?" • Aim for a balance, regardless of the founder's gender or background. 3️⃣ Implement Bias-Reducing Strategies: • Use standardized question sets for all pitches. • Involve diverse perspectives in your investment committee. • Consider blind initial reviews of pitch decks. 4️⃣ Focus on Data, Not Gut Feeling: • Establish clear, measurable criteria for evaluating startups. • Look at traction, market size, and growth potential objectively. 5️⃣ Expand Your Network: • Attend events focused on underrepresented founders. • Partner with organizations promoting diversity in tech. 6️⃣ Continuous Learning: • Engage in unconscious bias training regularly. • Stay updated on research about diversity in entrepreneurship. 🚀 Action Step for VCs: Review your last 10 investments. Analyze the types of questions you asked and the criteria you used. Are there patterns that might indicate bias? For tools, PM me! 🚀 Action Step for Founders: Prepare for both promotional and prevention questions. Use the RIP method (Reclaim, Inform, Promote) to turn any question into an opportunity to showcase your vision. Need help? PM me! Diversity isn't just a buzzword—it's a competitive advantage! Diverse founding teams deliver higher returns. By overcoming our biases, we not only create a more equitable ecosystem but also unlock tremendous value. Share your thoughts or experiences with bias in VC below. Looking to build a more inclusive future for innovation! #VentureCapital #DiversityInTech #InvestorEducation #UnconsciousBias

Lately I’ve been thinking a lot about “The Art of the Micro Pivot”. Small but consequential moves to keep Gamify heading in the best direction. So let's talk pivots—not the Ross Geller kind, the strategic, smart, and sometimes sanity-saving micro pivots in your startup world. Navigating the startup seas is exactly like sailing a ship through uncharted waters. You need a sound vessel, a reliable crew, and the ability to make quick, calculated adjustments when the waves get a bit too choppy or you can’t clearly see the North Star. Here are three things that are helping Emily Applegarth and I make the right moves. 1. Product-Market Fit: Your first product idea might be as groundbreaking as a sliced bread in a breadless world. But if it’s not resonating with your target market, it’s time for a micro pivot. Listen to your customers. Adapt. Innovate. Sometimes a small tweak can completely turn the tables. 2. Protect Your Runway: Mistakes are part of the game, but they shouldn’t cost you your entire runway. Make incremental changes and test them before going all in. It’s like having a parachute while skydiving—you want to enjoy the free fall, but you also want to make sure you land safely. 3. Hire Right, Not Fast: Building a team is like assembling the Avengers. You don’t just need superstars; you need the right superstars. People who are adaptable, resilient, and share your vision. Hire slow and fire fast. The right team will not just follow you—they’ll inspire you to lead better. I have to remind myself, in the startup world, pivots aren’t signs of failure; they’re the moves that get us closer to success. So, embrace the twists and turns. They’re all part of the adventure.

Why Individuality Matters Hey there, fellow founders! Zehra here, and I'm obsessed with all things startup. But lately, I've been seeing a sea of similar ideas and pitches. It's got me thinking: how do you truly differentiate yourself in this competitive space? The answer? Embrace your individuality! Here's why: Unique solutions: Your personal background, experiences, and passions shape how you see the world. These unique lenses can lead to innovative solutions that existing players might miss. Authentic brand identity: People connect with authenticity. Infuse your brand with your values and personality to create a story that resonates with your target audience. Investor magnetism: Investors back people, not just ideas. Show them what makes you "YOU" and why you're the perfect person to bring this vision to life. Your passion and individuality will shine through. So don't be afraid to be YOU! The startup world needs your fresh perspective and bold ideas. Now go out there and make your mark! #StandOut #StartupLife #BeYou