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Y Combinator Cast

07/22/23

@ Y Combinator

If you wake up every morning not knowing what you're chasing, it's probably time to pivot.

YC

Y Combinator Cast

07/22/23

@ Y Combinator

Many founders work on the wrong thing before discovering the right one, often internalizing a fear of failure.

YC

Y Combinator Cast

07/22/23

@ Y Combinator

Pivots are not just for startups that fail; in fact, many successful startups have pivoted to find their success.

YC

Y Combinator Cast

07/22/23

@ Y Combinator

Pivoting means changing your startup idea; if you're not making something people want, you need to change your idea or your startup will fail.

YC

Y Combinator Cast

07/22/23

@ Y Combinator

Brex started as a virtual reality headset company but pivoted back to payments after realizing they lacked the necessary hardware expertise.

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Y Combinator Cast

07/22/23

@ Y Combinator

Goat initially launched as a platform for group dinners but pivoted to a sneaker marketplace after recognizing their passion for sneaker collecting and a growing market.

YC

Y Combinator Cast

07/22/23

@ Y Combinator

In 2015, pivoting Goat into sneaker collecting seemed unconventional, but it turned out to be a successful move as sneaker collecting gained mainstream recognition.

YC

Y Combinator Cast

07/22/23

@ Y Combinator

Successful pivots often occur when founders are ahead of consensus and willing to explore new ideas despite initial doubts.

YC

Y Combinator Cast

07/22/23

@ Y Combinator

Both Brex and Goat had to realize their initial ideas were not right before moving on to their successful ventures.

YC

Y Combinator Cast

07/22/23

@ Y Combinator

Tom Blomfield's first startup idea was a group payments app, which failed to deliver value, leading to a pivot towards business payments.

YC

Y Combinator Cast

07/22/23

@ Y Combinator

Understanding the right problem to solve is crucial for startup success, and often requires direct contact with real customers to identify.

YC

Y Combinator Cast

07/22/23

@ Y Combinator

Clipboard Health's founder discovered the key problem in nursing staffing by spending time with hospitals, leading to a successful pivot from a job board to a staffing solution.

YC

Y Combinator Cast

07/22/23

@ Y Combinator

Founders often get distracted by coding and overbuilding instead of focusing on understanding the core problems their users face.

YC

Y Combinator Cast

07/22/23

@ Y Combinator

Pivot hell occurs when a startup continuously changes its idea without making progress, leading to confusion and lack of direction.

YC

Y Combinator Cast

07/22/23

@ Y Combinator

It's possible for a company to pivot too much, which can lead to getting lost in pivot hell, where every week feels like a completely new startup.

YC

Y Combinator Cast

07/22/23

@ Y Combinator

Perfectionism can trap Founders in a loop of constant iteration, preventing them from committing to one idea and learning from it.

YC

Y Combinator Cast

07/22/23

@ Y Combinator

Many Founders must work through several bad ideas before discovering the right one, as this process helps them understand the industry and user needs better.

YC

Y Combinator Cast

07/22/23

@ Y Combinator

To find a viable startup idea, Founders should start somewhere and engage directly with users to learn about the market and identify real problems to solve.

YC

Y Combinator Cast

07/22/23

@ Y Combinator

It's crucial for Founders to validate their ideas quickly to avoid wasting time on concepts that don't resonate with users.

YC

Y Combinator Cast

07/22/23

@ Y Combinator

Having a main key performance indicator (KPI) is essential for tracking a startup's progress and determining whether the business is working or not.

YC

Y Combinator Cast

07/22/23

@ Y Combinator

The experience of Founders is critical in determining the success of a startup, as they can adapt and pivot effectively based on their excitement and suitability for the idea.

YC

Y Combinator Cast

07/22/23

@ Y Combinator

Successful startups often pivot to find product-market fit, and this process is vital whether you're just starting or considering a pivot.

Startup Experts Reveal Their Favorite Pivot Stories

Takeaways