Founder Weekly (Issue 521 - January 26 2022)

Founder Weekly - Issue 521

January 26, 2022

Founder Weekly

Welcome to issue 521 of Founder Weekly. Let's get straight to the links this week.

General

While the alluring concept of decentralized ownership is fueling waves of innovation across the internet, it is highly likely that the creation of Web3 will come with some unintended consequences. Just as earlier iterations of the internet resulted in double-edged societal influences, Web3 may have drawbacks along with positive advancements. However, Reid Hoffman argues, by incorporating lessons learned from past web eras, entrepreneurs and investors can still approach the field with excitement.

When it comes to annual resolutions and personal development goals, listening usually isn’t very high up on the list. User research leader and author Ximena Vengoechea makes the case for why you should put more intention and effort into sharpening this skill, offering advice tailored to different levels and roles across the startup org chart.

Facebook Marketplace is the world’s second-largest marketplace, in terms of monthly active users, behind only Amazon. In this post, learn what it took to make Facebook Marketplace work when so many local marketplaces (including Facebook’s previous attempts) have failed.

The work of a down-and-out magician, nothing was bigger during the App Store's first year of existence. But like so many overnight successes, iBeer got drunk on money and power and the last call arrived far too soon.

Marketing, Sales and PR

After working with hundreds of startups on brand strategy, Arielle Jackson shares the most common early marketing missteps that founders make. From how to articulate your product benefit and clarify your company's purpose, to tips for infusing your brand with personality and making your launch announcement count, her advice will help you lay the foundation for a great startup brand.

In a self-serve environment, your product has to sell itself. The first-day experience is the most critical part of the user journey. And it’s where most.

Ten lessons to formalize your sales and marketing transition from $10 million to $25 million in ARR.

Pinterest’s Global Head of Content & Creators unpacks why they’re doubling down on creators.

A nice little trick to figure out your competitor’s growth plan.

Money and Finance

It was a record year for global & US venture funding, exits, unicorns, and more.

This video talks about selling a SaaS startup and side project, Vibecast and what the founder learned from the process. He talks about contracts, who could buy your side project, the sales process, the sales pitch, due diligence, the arrangement and handing it over. 

The public software sector is weathering the second deepest multiple contractions in the last decade. Only the 2016 reduction of 57% surpasses it. The question on every software founder’s mind today must be, how will this affect the private financing markets? 

Startups of the Week

Casana is unlocking a new category in healthcare technologies that enable effortless, integrated and consistent in-home heart health monitoring. Casana’s first product, The Heart Seat is an IoT heart health toilet seat that captures clinically relevant measurements, including heart rate, blood pressure, blood oxygenation, and cardiac output.

Tribevest is a collaborative platform that enables friends and family to easily assemble, formalize, fund, and manage assets together.

Tips, Tools and Services

Learn how Zapier onboards their employees, manages Slack, organizes communication, and more.

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