The Next Web

APRIL 22, 2016

With the advent and proliferation of “growth hacking”, many products are launching with hopes of leveraging data, A/B tests, and viral loops to manufacture a hockey stick growth curve. A good metaphor would be the cranks that car engines had before they got electric starters.

Hockey Stick 60

Hockey Stick Viral Engineer Web 60

Startup Lessons Learned

APRIL 14, 2009

This is an incredible skill, one that most engineers overlook. Products can find sources of validation with impressive stats along a number of dimensions, such as high engagement, viral coefficient, or long-term retention. This wasn’t very impressive, but we had two things going for us: A hockey stick shaped growth curve.

Customer 167

Customer San Francisco Lean Hockey Stick 167

Hippoland

AUGUST 8, 2018

Forget about traction and hockey stick growth. As always, there are exceptions: if you build a viral consumer product (such as an Instagram) where people are just coming to your site / app in droves at no cost to you, then you’ve got a great business. don’t think about at all. Marketing first. Product second.

Founder 48

Founder Sales Cycle Affiliate Retention 48

Hippoland

AUGUST 8, 2018

Forget about traction and hockey stick growth. As always, there are exceptions: if you build a viral consumer product (such as an Instagram) where people are just coming to your site / app in droves at no cost to you, then you’ve got a great business. don’t think about at all. Marketing first. Product second.

Founder 48

Founder Sales Cycle Affiliate Retention 48