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Sam Altman

06/21/25

@ Y Combinator

The only advice I have for starting something big is to pick a market where there's potential for growth if your idea works. Beyond that, it's about taking one step at a time for a long time.

Video

Sam Altman: The Future of OpenAI, ChatGPT's Origins, and Building AI Hardware

@ Y Combinator

Sam Altman: The Future of OpenAI, ChatGPT's Origins, and Building AI Hardware

06/21/25

Related Takeaways

Peter Thiel

03/23/17

@ Y Combinator

Successful companies often start with small markets and expand over time; going after a large market from the beginning usually indicates a lack of proper market definition.

Jared Friedman

11/18/22

@ Y Combinator

You need a big market for your startup, which typically means a billion-dollar market, or a small but rapidly growing market.

Alexandr Wang

06/18/25

@ Y Combinator

Startups should initially focus on narrow markets to gain momentum, but eventually need to identify and build towards infinite markets to achieve significant growth.

Ron Conway

10/15/14

@ Y Combinator

Persistence and conviction about your idea are crucial, as many ideas that initially seem bad can end up being huge successes.

Avni Patel Thompson

03/03/18

@ Y Combinator

For female founders, the most important step is to start, regardless of the obstacles; taking big swings is crucial for success.

Avni Patel Thompson

03/03/18

@ Y Combinator

If you're going to pursue a startup, aim for something big and impactful, rather than settling for a smaller venture.

Eric Migicovsky

10/13/18

@ Y Combinator

Starting small is beneficial, but having a roadmap for growth is crucial for both investor confidence and personal motivation.

Harvard Innovation Labs Cast

06/12/13

@ Harvard Innovation Labs

Startups should focus on a narrow market segment initially to avoid overwhelming themselves and to build a solid foundation for growth.

Jessica Livingston

07/25/17

@ Y Combinator

To create a massively successful startup, you need to have a huge market and make something that a lot of people will pay for or that people will pay a lot for.