Founder Weekly (Issue 603 - September 13 2023)

Founder Weekly - Issue 603

September 13, 2023

Founder Weekly

Welcome to issue 603 of Founder Weekly. Let's get straight to the links this week.

General

This article explores the concept of "startup physics," drawing parallels between the laws of physics and the challenges faced by startups. It offers insights into the dynamics and forces that shape the trajectory of early-stage companies.

Greylock general partner Seth Rosenberg outlines how founders combining product and domain expertise with a fundamental understanding of human behavior can build defensible, AI-first businesses.

Language shapes our perception of setbacks. Use words other than “failure” to describe situations and to suggest the next step. 

Insights From Building My Mentorship Business.

What is the ideal state of crypto?

You need to re-validate everything before making the move.

Marketing, Sales and PR

The ultimate guide for sales development reps and managers to get the most out of LinkedIn Sales Navigator in 2023, including templates, examples, and a checklist.

Discover how user behavior impacts your site and your SEO efforts. Learn how to track and improve user behavior metrics to boost your rankings.

Money and Finance

During the downturn starting in 2022, seed-stage valuations remained stable or even increased, driven by VC firms with available capital. Angel investors became more cautious, some setting a $10M valuation cap, while Y Combinator gained strength under Garry Tan's leadership. Geographical location became a factor for both founders and investors, and the conversion of early-stage investments to Series A slowed down, emphasizing the importance of positive evidence for startups seeking further funding.

Most startups don't need VC funding to succeed. Instead, focus on building a sustainable business with revenue.

This article discusses how venture capital's attempts to enter the creator economy have largely failed, highlighting the thriving opportunities for creators and the increasing independence from traditional VC funding within this ecosystem.

If you want to increase your odds of raising a pre-seed round, you need to show proof that you can do the work beforehand.

A heretical take on "total compensation".

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