Both Sides of the Table

SEPTEMBER 10, 2021

We can’t wait for customers to use the product for 12–18 months and do customer interviews or look at purchase cohorts. In 2001 companies IPO’d very quickly if they were working, by 2011 IPOs had slowed down to the point that in 2013 Aileen Lee of Cowboy Ventures astutely called billion-dollar outcomes “unicorns.”

Pre-Money Valuation 471

Pre-Money Valuation Valuation Venture Capital Early Stage 471

Both Sides of the Table

FEBRUARY 20, 2012

She focused on her customer. Tracy is knowledgeable enough to talk tech and swap design & product stories with other founders, but she realized early that networking amongst this group and reading and writing in their journals would not bring her more customers. Now she had an extra $50,000 to start building out her team.

Silicon Valley 363

Silicon Valley Cofounder Entrepreneur Startup 363

Both Sides of the Table

MARCH 11, 2010

Research this market by doing market sizing, looking at existing products, talking to customers and deciding how you will make money. If you believe there is a market then build a prototype product that you can show customers, investors and potential employees. Paying customers. Validate that you can make money before starting.

Silicon Valley 308

Silicon Valley Bankruptcy Intellectual Property Reputation 308

Both Sides of the Table

MAY 7, 2011

Lesson: You dn’t want your customers to feel locked into using your software. It helps with sales cycles because customers know that they can switch away if they so choose. While customers will be willing to try your product, they think two steps ahead. A product manager is responsible for: Talking to customers.

Software Review 285

Software Review Software St. Louis API 285