YC
Why Startup Founders Should Launch Companies Sooner Than They Think
@ Y Combinator
07/13/24
Takeaways
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07/13/24
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Founders often hesitate to launch their companies because they feel embarrassed about their product's state, comparing it to polished products from established companies like Apple.
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07/13/24
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Many first-time Founders fear that if they launch and no one shows up, it reflects poorly on them, leading to feelings of inadequacy or failure.
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07/13/24
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Once Founders launch their product, they often feel liberated to learn from customer feedback and improve their offerings, rather than waiting for a perfect launch.
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07/13/24
@ Y Combinator
Delaying a launch means missing out on valuable learning experiences that come from real user interactions and feedback.
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07/13/24
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The myth that a launch is a one-time event that must be perfect can hinder Founders; in reality, multiple launches can lead to valuable insights and improvements.
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07/13/24
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Founders often mistakenly believe that if users try their product once and dislike it, they will never return, but this is not typically the case.
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It's crucial for Founders to understand that most people do not remember product launches, and initial failures do not define a product's future success.
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Early-stage sales should focus on identifying ideal customers rather than trying to convince everyone to use the product.
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Founders often avoid seeking feedback from others because it feels safer to work in isolation, but this can prevent them from making necessary improvements.
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The discomfort of engaging with customers and seeking feedback is often more productive than simply writing code in isolation. Founders often delay launching their companies due to fear of criticism and discomfort with social interactions, which can stall their learning process.
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07/13/24
@ Y Combinator
It's essential for founders to launch early with a minimal viable product (MVP) because the downside is low, and it allows for adjustments as the company grows.
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07/13/24
@ Y Combinator
At Y Combinator, we advise founders to focus on creating a product that 100 people love rather than something that 1 million people merely like, as those 100 passionate users can become your viral sales force.
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If someone is willing to pay for the most basic version of your product, it indicates that you're addressing a real problem.
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07/13/24
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When launching a product that no one uses, founders should analyze the situation to identify which assumptions were incorrect and adjust their approach accordingly.
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07/13/24
@ Y Combinator
If your launch doesn't attract users, it's not the end; you can use it to diagnose issues like messaging or targeting the wrong customers, and then relaunch after making necessary adjustments.
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Y Combinator Cast
07/13/24
@ Y Combinator
To overcome the fear of launching, focus on the goal of learning rather than achieving specific revenue targets; this mindset can help you move faster and learn from feedback.
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07/13/24
@ Y Combinator
Launching too early is only a concern if the product is completely non-functional; as long as it provides some value, early launches are beneficial.
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07/13/24
@ Y Combinator
The best founders use launches to diagnose problems, find early adopters, and iterate on their products based on customer feedback, leading to continuous improvement.