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Adam Neumann: This is How You Build Iconic Companies
@ a16z
06/13/25
Takeaways
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Adam Neumann
06/13/25
@ a16z
I was born in Israel and my parents got divorced when I was eight, which led to moving 13 times during my childhood, shaping my obsession with community.
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Adam Neumann
06/13/25
@ a16z
Moving as a child is difficult, but it makes you stronger. I often gravitated towards the uncool kids, befriending them and bringing them into the social structure of each new community.
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Adam Neumann
06/13/25
@ a16z
In a kibbutz, where children lived together from a young age, I learned the importance of community and how it shapes our understanding of togetherness.
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Adam Neumann
06/13/25
@ a16z
My mother, a doctor, fought hard for her patients, which taught me the value of community support. Despite her challenges, the community always looked out for my sister and me.
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Adam Neumann
06/13/25
@ a16z
I believe there are two types of communities: those that come together to build something greater than themselves and those that fall into a mob mentality, which can lead to negativity.
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Adam Neumann
06/13/25
@ a16z
I realized that my childhood challenges, including my mother's struggles as a single mom and a doctor, shaped my desire to make a difference in the world.
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Adam Neumann
06/13/25
@ a16z
After my military service in Israel, where I learned discipline, I moved to the US to check on my sister, who was a supermodel in New York City.
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Adam Neumann
06/13/25
@ a16z
Despite my dyslexia, which made reading difficult until third grade, I learned to adapt and find solutions, which has been a crucial skill in my entrepreneurial journey.
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Adam Neumann
06/13/25
@ a16z
The American dream is about coming from a different country, overcoming challenges, and having the opportunity to build a business and achieve success.
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Adam Neumann
06/13/25
@ a16z
I learned that to disrupt the real estate industry, we need to integrate technology, design, and community into a cohesive vision.
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Adam Neumann
06/13/25
@ a16z
I believe that the ability to overcome profound challenges in the past is a strong indicator of future success for entrepreneurs.
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Adam Neumann
06/13/25
@ a16z
When I started Flow, I wanted to create a community-focused living experience that addresses loneliness and fosters connections among residents.
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Adam Neumann
06/13/25
@ a16z
I realized that during the pandemic, people needed community more than ever, and that inspired the direction of Flow.
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Adam Neumann
06/13/25
@ a16z
The partnership with Mark and Ben was built on mutual respect and a shared vision for the future of living, allowing us to explore innovative ideas together.
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Adam Neumann
06/13/25
@ a16z
I appreciate that Mark and Ben wanted to understand my vision for Flow rather than focusing solely on past mistakes with WeWork.
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Adam Neumann
06/13/25
@ a16z
The decision to align our interests and work together on Flow was one of the smartest moves we've made, allowing us to leverage our strengths effectively. To control the customer experience end to end, you have to vertically integrate, as it allows you to align everyone with your vision.
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Adam Neumann
06/13/25
@ a16z
The business model for Flow involves determining the right balance between owning real estate and managing properties across various locations.
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Adam Neumann
06/13/25
@ a16z
Learning from the hotel industry, we see that companies like Hilton and Marriott have shifted from owning properties to managing them, which is a model we can adopt.
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Adam Neumann
06/13/25
@ a16z
The real estate market is massive, with a $250 trillion asset class, and even raising significant funds will only be a small fraction of that.
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Adam Neumann
06/13/25
@ a16z
In South Florida, there are numerous buildings that could be Flow properties, indicating a vast opportunity for expansion.
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Adam Neumann
06/13/25
@ a16z
Our focus is on building the best product first before making decisions about vertical integration or management deals.
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Adam Neumann
06/13/25
@ a16z
The initial success of Flow is evident as the design and community aspects have already generated higher demand and rental prices.
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Adam Neumann
06/13/25
@ a16z
Expanding into Saudi Arabia was a strategic move, and the local market has shown a strong demand for our offerings.
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Adam Neumann
06/13/25
@ a16z
The technology behind Flow is designed to be flexible, allowing us to adapt to the needs of residents and communities effectively.
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Adam Neumann
06/13/25
@ a16z
Our software significantly reduces the time it takes to sign up for a building, enhancing the user experience.
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Adam Neumann
06/13/25
@ a16z
Flow's platform allows residents to connect and offer services to each other, fostering a strong community.
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Adam Neumann
06/13/25
@ a16z
The future of living is about creating meaningful connections among residents, leveraging technology to enhance their experiences.
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Adam Neumann
06/13/25
@ a16z
The concept of Flow is to provide not just housing but a community where residents can thrive together.