#4 – Where to Learn About Startups
Iterative is a YC style accelerator focused exclusively on Southeast Asia. Iterative invests US$150K in batches twice a year. If you’re working on a startup, we would love to have you apply. If you know someone working on a startup, recommend them.
Hello!
Sorry, this is a little late. We've been busy fundraising and recruiting for the upcoming batch. Lots of great things are happening, but lots more to do.
In 2008, before meeting Brian and starting the first company, I was learning about startups by reading about them. When we started working on the first company, 2 things became immediately apparent (1) there's a big difference between reading about something (intellectualizing) and doing it (living it), and (2) I'd been reading the wrong things.
Solving (1) is hard work but straight forward. Start something even if the idea is dumb, and you can only work on it during nights and weekends. There is no better teacher than experience.
This month's newsletter is about helping you solve (2) by reading the right things. "Right" is subjective, but I share 3 things that helped me significantly when I started and 3 things that help me now.
And oh yeah, we started a podcast :)
– Hsu Ken
🎙 New Podcast
We started a podcast! We're hoping to accomplish 2 things with it.
Improve Accessibility – We find people often don't think about starting a company because they either don't know someone who has or have an unrealistic view (typically exclusionary) of the types of people that do
Distribute Knowledge – We also find that operational knowledge is less accessible and therefore unevenly distributed to the detriment of the ecosystem
Most of the time, we will be interviewing people who start, operate, and invest in startups on how they got started and what their experience is like. Once in a while, like in the first episode, we'll be giving practical advice around a specific topic.
Subscribe to the podcast or YouTube channel and reply to this email with topics you want to hear about or people we should have on the show.
📝 Applications for Next Batch
The application deadline for our next batch (Winter 21) is 30 Nov. If you're debating whether you should apply, we recommend that you do. The process will likely help give you clarity on your startup and what to do next. You're welcome to turn down an invite if you're accepted.
Iterative W21 starts on 18 Jan 2021. Please apply here.
📚 Where to Learn
Classics
Of the few things that were written about startups in 2009, these 3 had the most significant impact on me. They are still where I’d recommend founders get started.
Marc Andreesen's Original Blog – Most people know Marc Andreesen as a VC with a16z, but before being a VC, he was the only person to have started 3 billion dollar companies. His blog doesn't exist anymore, but luckily, someone saved them. I re-read a few entries every year. My favorite is his take on How to Hire a Professional CEO.
Paul Graham's Essays – If YC had a sacred text, this would be it. It's all worth reading, but the most famous ones are Default Alive or Default Dead, Startup = Growth, How to Get Startup Ideas, and the most famous Do Things That Don't Scale,
Founders at Work – The portrayal of startups in newspapers, magazines, and movies (it's still crazy to me, there are movies and now kdramas about startups) are never accurate. If you're wondering what it's actually like, Founders at Work by Jessica Livingston (co-founder of YC) is the closest you'll get without experiencing it yourself.
Now
These are the things I read most often now and find myself recommending to people.
Newsletters
There are lots of blogs and newsletters these days, but the 3 that I happily pay for are the following:
Benedict Evans – Used to work on a16z but is now working independently. I learn the most about what's happening right now and what's likely to happen in the future.
Stratechery – I've bought annual subscriptions for friends as gifts. Stratechery is probably the best tech business analysis out there. Emphasis on business, he comments on new technology but is primarily interested in the business innovations that the new technologies bring about. Every time I read his analysis, I get the "he's so smart" feeling.
Lenny Rachitsky– Made for operators. He covers everything from how to think about growth to the difference between a startup and a big company PM. Always from the practical operational level.
There's Silicon Valley focus with the above newsletters. I don't pay for it but have been enjoying Asia Tech Review for more Asia centric thoughts.
Twitter
Twitter isn't that popular in Southeast Asia but's the primary distribution channel for new ideas and best practices in SF. Tech Twitter, as I like to call it, is where you get the good stuff, but only if you know who to follow. I made a Tech Twitter list with the people I like following. It's by no means exhaustive, but I'm sure you'll learn a lot checking in on it.