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PG

Paul Graham

03/19/17

@ Y Combinator

Gaming the system may work in big companies, but in startups, it doesn't; you can't trick users, only provide what they want.

Video

YC

Before the Startup with Paul Graham (How to Start a Startup 2014: Lecture 3)

@ Y Combinator

Before the Startup with Paul Graham (How to Start a Startup 2014: Lecture 3)

03/19/17

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Y Combinator Cast

02/06/23

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Avoid playing status games in startups; instead, focus on building and solving real problems, as this is where true innovation happens.

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Working at a big tech company like Google can instill a mindset focused on scalability, which may not be helpful in the early stages of a startup where doing things that don't scale is often necessary.

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Understanding the game you're playing is crucial; selling to startups can be beneficial if you aim to grow with them, but it can be detrimental if your goal is to sell to large companies.

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Kathryn Minshew

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Don't believe the hype surrounding startups; focus on understanding your users and providing them with something they truly need and love.

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Karri Saarinen

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Startups often make the mistake of trying to emulate other companies; instead, they should do the opposite of what competitors are doing.

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Michael Seibel

04/21/22

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The lessons learned at a big tech company may not apply to startups, as many founders find that their corporate experience is irrelevant compared to their college coursework.

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The advice to do things that don't scale is counterintuitive but provides startups with a unique advantage over larger competitors by fostering deep customer understanding and rapid experimentation.

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Startups often mistakenly try to mimic big companies by creating a facade of having numerous employees and customer support, but this approach can hinder genuine connections with customers.

JL

Jessica Livingston

10/25/13

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Sometimes, you have to take unconventional steps to solve problems in your startup, like working in the industry you're targeting.