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Atmrix

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Atmrix

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YC

Y Combinator Cast

04/09/22

@ Y Combinator

A structural advantage with a subpar product won't win; however, a good enough product can succeed if it has a structural advantage.

Video

YC

How To Compete With Amazon and Google

@ Y Combinator

04/09/22

Related Takeaways

KH

Kevin Hale

07/26/19

@ Y Combinator

A product must be at least 10 times better than the competition to be considered an unfair advantage. If it's only marginally better, it won't be compelling enough for investors.

CM

Charles Munger

07/21/21

@ Life Stories

A durable competitive advantage is essential; you want an advantage that will sustain itself without overwhelming skill for a long time.

YC

Y Combinator Cast

06/07/24

@ Y Combinator

Ultimately, both product quality and distribution are crucial for success. The best product should win, but often, the company with the best distribution and a sufficiently good product prevails.

EM

Eric Migicovsky

10/13/18

@ Y Combinator

Building a great product is the most effective way to create a competitive advantage, rather than relying on patents, which are rarely successful for startups.

JL

Joe Lonsdale

04/12/25

@ Joe Lonsdale

In competitive industries, if you have good technology but the market forces aren't favorable, you're likely to fail.

TP

Tom Preston-Werner

10/25/13

@ Y Combinator

Most products in the market are subpar; focus on creating a good product that stands out, as Apple did with the iPad.

RR

Richard Rumelt

01/21/24

@ Lenny's Podcast

Power in strategy is about exploiting asymmetries; you need to have some advantage that differentiates you from your competitors.

MS

Michael Skok

03/25/23

@ Harvard Innovation Labs

You can have a disruptive business model that can change the game, even if your product isn't great.

TB

Tikhon Bernstam

09/09/17

@ Y Combinator

A strong team in a great market will eventually build the right product, as the market will guide them towards it, even if it feels like a struggle.