We asked these companies to tell us the data backed story on how key decisions were made, which growth hacks led to the much loved hockey stick curve, and how this impacted their company. MORE
Those of us who live in Finland will be familiar with the more than exaggerated prices associated with taxis, but on the southern side of the Gulf of Finland thrives another kind of taxi culture, one that is so casual that it has a strong demand for taxi applications. MORE
Kicked off in November 2013, Product Hunt has seen rapid hockey-stick growth. Last year at this time, Product Hunt didn’t exist. Its founder, Ryan Hoover, was the Director of Product at gaming company PlayHaven and an active blogger, attracting a loyal but modest following. He couldn’t have anticipated what was to come. It’s become a known quantity in the media and among influencers. MORE
Present a “hockey-stick” financial growth model without sharing your numbers behind your numbers (a.k.a. If I had a nickel for every pitch I saw where the financial projections grow in the shape of a hockey stick, I could have funded my last startup! MORE
We asked these companies to tell us the data backed story on how key decisions were made, which growth hacks led to the much loved hockey stick curve, and how this impacted their company. MORE
So if your numbers are here, going up in a hockey stick—and let’s just say this is your hockey stick—and your marketing expenses go up, and how do I do? So for me, what makes a sales forecast credible? It starts with product market fit. MORE
Good insight … Navigating The Make-Or-Break Years As You Create Hockey Stick Growth [link]. For hundreds of years, people have been worried that technology will replace people. Yet at every step, technology has also helped to create jobs. MORE
However, a 4-slide demo day pitch deck showing the market (Venn diagram with giant TAM), team (4 pictures with logos of universities and unicorn startups), product (3 screenshots), and traction (hockey stick chart showing 11 days of growth) has gone way too far the other way. I taught a class yesterday afternoon to a group of 25 Italian executives, managers, and entrepreneurs participating in the TVLP Institute of Technology Entrepreneurship and Innovation. MORE
There is no champagne-popping, no hockey stick growth, and no overnight success. I’ve just released a 2-hour audio documentary chronicling the story of building and launching my latest startup, Drip. Launch. MORE
Investors have spread the word that you can’t get “hockey-stick” growth without a large cash infusion. MORE
Traction is evidence that your product or service has started that “hockey- stick” adoption rate which implies a large market, a valid business model, and sustainable growth. MORE
And there are others that people think are teeny little wannabes with a dozen or so employees…that have $25 million in highly profitable revenues with hockey stick growth and zero debt! Parts of the answer are that (a) there are enormous regulatory requirements relating to secondary markets, and (b) there are no analysts tracking private company stocks. MORE
When I ran Opsware, we had the non-linear quarter problem also known affectionately as the hockey stick. The hockey stick refers to the shape of the revenue graph over the course of a quarter. Our hockey stick was so bad that one quarter, we booked 90% of our new bookings on the last day of the quarter. Naturally, I was determined to straighten out the hockey stick and bring some sanity to the business. MORE
Here, you’ll learn what not to do when forecasting sales, and how to build a forecast on realistic sales projections—rather than the dreaded “hockey stick” forecast. When it comes to starting and managing a business, forecasting your sales is essential. MORE
Has your business growth hit a plateau? Try these tips MORE
77 
Every entrepreneur thinks he can relax a bit after his business model is proven, funding is in place, and revenues are scaling as projected up that hockey-stick curve. MORE
Virtually, every business plan that's ever been presented to the investor community, invariably, has that fabled "hockey stick growth" period where suddenly revenue jumps exponentially. Hockey stick growth" is like going viral � good luck with that! MORE
Organic growth (reinvesting profits only) will not allow you to build the “hockey stick” growth curve desired by premium buyers at exit, or financial analysts positioning you for public stock sale. MORE
More likely, you'll be back for more money in less than 2 years, saying what everyone says: "it's taking longer than we thought" Investors won't believe your numbers anyway, so your over-sized hockey stick betrays your naiveté. I’m planning on going to a Tech Coast Angels mixer tomorrow and the topic for me is whether there is angel funding out there for startups that don’t meet classic VC models. MORE
Your goal is that magical break even point and hockey-stick profit-growth curve. Cashflow is a basic survival metric for every startup. Investors check your burn rate to assess your efficiency, and project your remaining runway before you run out of money and into a brick wall. MORE
Organic growth (reinvesting profits only) will not allow you to build the “hockey stick” growth curve desired by premium buyers at exit, or financial analysts positioning you for public stock sale. MORE
When I asked the standard “How are you,” he answered: “If I see another hockey stick forecast this week, I’m going to throw something at somebody.”. That was so long ago that I had to ask him to explain the hockey stick metaphor. MORE
If your financial chart shows “hockey-stick growth,” be sure to explain what happens to cause those inflection points. Image via WOCinTechChat. I know what it’s like to pitch to investors—both angels and venture capitalists. MORE
We asked these companies to tell us the data backed story on how key decisions were made, which growth hacks led to the much loved hockey stick curve, and how this impacted their company. MORE
If you take investor money, expect a push for hockey-stick growth and a liquidity event, like going public (IPO) or sale (M&A), to get the payback. MORE
SEPTEMBER 14, 2016
Your goal is that magical breakeven point and hockey-stick profit-growth curve. Cash flow is a basic survival metric for every startup. Investors check your burn rate to assess your efficiency, and project your remaining runway before you run out of money and into a brick wall. MORE
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. MORE
We asked these companies to tell us the data backed story on how key decisions were made, which growth hacks led to the much loved hockey stick curve, and how this impacted their company. MORE
As you can see from the chart below Amazon has delivered on the proverbial hockey stick that startups put in their business plans, and they’ve done it at serious scale. Amazon just posted strong Q1 results and investors sent their share price up 11%. MORE
The hockey stick doesn’t emerge quite like you thought it would. There is four times as much seed capital in the venture market this year as there was 1 year ago. Because of this, it’s easier to attract seed funding than it has been in the past. I’ve noticed a disturbing new trend and I think it’s related. Startups are “quitting” when the first year doesn’t go as planned. MORE
Note to entrepreneurs: if you're looking for hockey-stick like growth, steer clear of these sectors MORE
Hockey stick” shaped growth projections. This article is part of our Business Planning Guide —a curated list of our articles that will help you with the planning process! What are the most common mistakes when writing a business plan ? Here is my list of the ones to make sure you avoid. MORE
Organic growth (reinvesting profits only) will not allow you to build the “hockey stick” growth curve desired by premium buyers at exit, or financial analysts positioning you for public stock sale. MORE
If you take investor money, expect a push for hockey-stick growth and a liquidity event, like going public (IPO) or sale (M&A), to get the payback. MORE
I’ve been running it for over a year, but only recently has it begun to “hockey stick&# , in industry parlance. The Hockey Stick: As you can see from my chart of RSVPs, I’ve started to figure this thing out. MORE
There is no champagne-popping, no hockey stick growth, and no overnight success. I’ve just released a 2-hour audio documentary chronicling the story of building and launching my latest startup, Drip. Launch. MORE
Why do entrepreneurs sometimes resort to the “hockey stick forecast,” especially when they pitch to investors? I first heard the term in the 1980s, at lunch with a venture capitalist friend, when he said he was “tired of all those hockey stick forecasts” he was getting from startups. MORE
As everyone knows, venture investors look for companies that show hockey stick graphs, and according to co-founder Joe Gebbia, his company had a horizontal drumstick graph. In 2009, Airbnb was close to going bust. Like so many startups, they had launched but barely anyone noticed. MORE
It’s also about proof and hockey stick traction. Lean Startup is about experimentation and learning. It’s about being intellectually honest and methodical in your approach. It’s about going slow before going fast. It’s about moving backward before moving forward. Investing on the other hand is about storytelling and big vision. So when raising money how do you balance this dichotomy? MORE
AirBnB has delivered on the proverbial hockey stick growth that I imagine they had in their pitch deck back in 2010. The chart above shows the number of guests AirBnB has hosted each summer for the last five years. It was on Techcrunch this morning. It’s an amazing chart. MORE
Every entrepreneur thinks he can relax a bit after his business model is proven, funding is in place, and revenues are scaling as projected up that hockey-stick curve. MORE
Every entrepreneur thinks he can relax a bit after his business model is proven, funding is in place, and revenues are scaling as projected up that hockey-stick curve. MORE
Their showing hockey stick curve growth with incredible potential and opportunity going forward. Today, I’m pleased to announce that Localmind has been acquired by Airbnb. See Techcrunch’s story and Airbnb’s blog post for more info. MORE
Good insight … Navigating The Make-Or-Break Years As You Create Hockey Stick Growth [link]. For hundreds of years, people have been worried that technology will replace people. Yet at every step, technology has also helped to create jobs. MORE
Hockey Stick Related Topics Small Business Force
SEPTEMBER 7, 2013
Virtually, every business plan that's ever been presented to the investor community, invariably, has that fabled "hockey stick growth" period where suddenly revenue jumps exponentially. Hockey stick growth" is like going viral � good luck with that!
Inc Startups
OCTOBER 27, 2016
Has your business growth hit a plateau? Try these tips
Brad Hargreaves
MAY 2, 2010
I’ve been running it for over a year, but only recently has it begun to “hockey stick&# , in industry parlance. The Hockey Stick: As you can see from my chart of RSVPs, I’ve started to figure this thing out.
ArcticStartup
FEBRUARY 28, 2014
Those of us who live in Finland will be familiar with the more than exaggerated prices associated with taxis, but on the southern side of the Gulf of Finland thrives another kind of taxi culture, one that is so casual that it has a strong demand for taxi applications.
Inc Startups
NOVEMBER 25, 2015
Note to entrepreneurs: if you're looking for hockey-stick like growth, steer clear of these sectors
Up and Running
FEBRUARY 12, 2018
Why do entrepreneurs sometimes resort to the “hockey stick forecast,” especially when they pitch to investors? I first heard the term in the 1980s, at lunch with a venture capitalist friend, when he said he was “tired of all those hockey stick forecasts” he was getting from startups.
Redeye VC
APRIL 30, 2013
As everyone knows, venture investors look for companies that show hockey stick graphs, and according to co-founder Joe Gebbia, his company had a horizontal drumstick graph. In 2009, Airbnb was close to going bust. Like so many startups, they had launched but barely anyone noticed.
The Next Web
FEBRUARY 20, 2017
We asked these companies to tell us the data backed story on how key decisions were made, which growth hacks led to the much loved hockey stick curve, and how this impacted their company.
The Next Web
NOVEMBER 28, 2016
We asked these companies to tell us the data backed story on how key decisions were made, which growth hacks led to the much loved hockey stick curve, and how this impacted their company.
Instigator Blog
DECEMBER 13, 2012
Their showing hockey stick curve growth with incredible potential and opportunity going forward. Today, I’m pleased to announce that Localmind has been acquired by Airbnb. See Techcrunch’s story and Airbnb’s blog post for more info.
The Next Web
FEBRUARY 20, 2017
We asked these companies to tell us the data backed story on how key decisions were made, which growth hacks led to the much loved hockey stick curve, and how this impacted their company.
Software By Rob
DECEMBER 2, 2014
There is no champagne-popping, no hockey stick growth, and no overnight success. I’ve just released a 2-hour audio documentary chronicling the story of building and launching my latest startup, Drip. Launch.
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.
The Equity Kicker
SEPTEMBER 8, 2015
AirBnB has delivered on the proverbial hockey stick growth that I imagine they had in their pitch deck back in 2010. The chart above shows the number of guests AirBnB has hosted each summer for the last five years. It was on Techcrunch this morning. It’s an amazing chart.
Up and Running
APRIL 24, 2014
So if your numbers are here, going up in a hockey stick—and let’s just say this is your hockey stick—and your marketing expenses go up, and how do I do? So for me, what makes a sales forecast credible? It starts with product market fit.
Startup Professionals Musings
FEBRUARY 26, 2013
Traction is evidence that your product or service has started that “hockey- stick” adoption rate which implies a large market, a valid business model, and sustainable growth.
Gust
NOVEMBER 15, 2012
And there are others that people think are teeny little wannabes with a dozen or so employees…that have $25 million in highly profitable revenues with hockey stick growth and zero debt! Parts of the answer are that (a) there are enormous regulatory requirements relating to secondary markets, and (b) there are no analysts tracking private company stocks.
Up and Running
FEBRUARY 13, 2017
When I asked the standard “How are you,” he answered: “If I see another hockey stick forecast this week, I’m going to throw something at somebody.”. That was so long ago that I had to ask him to explain the hockey stick metaphor.
The Equity Kicker
MAY 3, 2016
As you can see from the chart below Amazon has delivered on the proverbial hockey stick that startups put in their business plans, and they’ve done it at serious scale. Amazon just posted strong Q1 results and investors sent their share price up 11%.
Instigator Blog
JUNE 24, 2013
It’s also about proof and hockey stick traction. Lean Startup is about experimentation and learning. It’s about being intellectually honest and methodical in your approach. It’s about going slow before going fast. It’s about moving backward before moving forward. Investing on the other hand is about storytelling and big vision. So when raising money how do you balance this dichotomy?
Startup Professionals Musings
SEPTEMBER 14, 2016
Your goal is that magical breakeven point and hockey-stick profit-growth curve. Cash flow is a basic survival metric for every startup. Investors check your burn rate to assess your efficiency, and project your remaining runway before you run out of money and into a brick wall.
David Cohen
JULY 29, 2015
The hockey stick doesn’t emerge quite like you thought it would. There is four times as much seed capital in the venture market this year as there was 1 year ago. Because of this, it’s easier to attract seed funding than it has been in the past. I’ve noticed a disturbing new trend and I think it’s related. Startups are “quitting” when the first year doesn’t go as planned.
Up and Running
SEPTEMBER 8, 2014
Present a “hockey-stick” financial growth model without sharing your numbers behind your numbers (a.k.a. If I had a nickel for every pitch I saw where the financial projections grow in the shape of a hockey stick, I could have funded my last startup!
Redeye VC
JULY 28, 2014
Kicked off in November 2013, Product Hunt has seen rapid hockey-stick growth. Last year at this time, Product Hunt didn’t exist. Its founder, Ryan Hoover, was the Director of Product at gaming company PlayHaven and an active blogger, attracting a loyal but modest following. He couldn’t have anticipated what was to come. It’s become a known quantity in the media and among influencers.
Startup Professionals Musings
NOVEMBER 1, 2015
Every entrepreneur thinks he can relax a bit after his business model is proven, funding is in place, and revenues are scaling as projected up that hockey-stick curve.
Software By Rob
DECEMBER 2, 2014
There is no champagne-popping, no hockey stick growth, and no overnight success. I’ve just released a 2-hour audio documentary chronicling the story of building and launching my latest startup, Drip. Launch.
Startup Professionals Musings
MARCH 3, 2018
Every entrepreneur thinks he can relax a bit after his business model is proven, funding is in place, and revenues are scaling as projected up that hockey-stick curve.
Up and Running
SEPTEMBER 6, 2018
Hockey stick” shaped growth projections. This article is part of our Business Planning Guide —a curated list of our articles that will help you with the planning process! What are the most common mistakes when writing a business plan ? Here is my list of the ones to make sure you avoid.
Up and Running
APRIL 19, 2017
Here, you’ll learn what not to do when forecasting sales, and how to build a forecast on realistic sales projections—rather than the dreaded “hockey stick” forecast. When it comes to starting and managing a business, forecasting your sales is essential.
Startup Professionals Musings
AUGUST 19, 2017
If you take investor money, expect a push for hockey-stick growth and a liquidity event, like going public (IPO) or sale (M&A), to get the payback.
crowdSPRING Blog
SEPTEMBER 8, 2017
Good insight … Navigating The Make-Or-Break Years As You Create Hockey Stick Growth [link]. For hundreds of years, people have been worried that technology will replace people. Yet at every step, technology has also helped to create jobs.
crowdSPRING Blog
SEPTEMBER 8, 2017
Good insight … Navigating The Make-Or-Break Years As You Create Hockey Stick Growth [link]. For hundreds of years, people have been worried that technology will replace people. Yet at every step, technology has also helped to create jobs.
Ben's Blog
JULY 20, 2011
When I ran Opsware, we had the non-linear quarter problem also known affectionately as the hockey stick. The hockey stick refers to the shape of the revenue graph over the course of a quarter. Our hockey stick was so bad that one quarter, we booked 90% of our new bookings on the last day of the quarter. Naturally, I was determined to straighten out the hockey stick and bring some sanity to the business.
Startup Professionals Musings
DECEMBER 14, 2014
If you take investor money, expect a push for hockey-stick growth and a liquidity event, like going public (IPO) or sale (M&A), to get the payback.
Startup Professionals Musings
JANUARY 11, 2015
Organic growth (reinvesting profits only) will not allow you to build the “hockey stick” growth curve desired by premium buyers at exit, or financial analysts positioning you for public stock sale.
Up and Running
MARCH 14, 2018
If your financial chart shows “hockey-stick growth,” be sure to explain what happens to cause those inflection points. Image via WOCinTechChat. I know what it’s like to pitch to investors—both angels and venture capitalists.
Startup Professionals Musings
OCTOBER 5, 2014
Your goal is that magical break even point and hockey-stick profit-growth curve. Cashflow is a basic survival metric for every startup. Investors check your burn rate to assess your efficiency, and project your remaining runway before you run out of money and into a brick wall.
Startup Professionals Musings
SEPTEMBER 26, 2014
Every entrepreneur thinks he can relax a bit after his business model is proven, funding is in place, and revenues are scaling as projected up that hockey-stick curve.
Professor VC
JUNE 7, 2018
However, a 4-slide demo day pitch deck showing the market (Venn diagram with giant TAM), team (4 pictures with logos of universities and unicorn startups), product (3 screenshots), and traction (hockey stick chart showing 11 days of growth) has gone way too far the other way. I taught a class yesterday afternoon to a group of 25 Italian executives, managers, and entrepreneurs participating in the TVLP Institute of Technology Entrepreneurship and Innovation.
Startup Professionals Musings
FEBRUARY 14, 2016
Organic growth (reinvesting profits only) will not allow you to build the “hockey stick” growth curve desired by premium buyers at exit, or financial analysts positioning you for public stock sale.
SoCal CTO
MAY 19, 2010
More likely, you'll be back for more money in less than 2 years, saying what everyone says: "it's taking longer than we thought" Investors won't believe your numbers anyway, so your over-sized hockey stick betrays your naiveté. I’m planning on going to a Tech Coast Angels mixer tomorrow and the topic for me is whether there is angel funding out there for startups that don’t meet classic VC models.
Startup Professionals Musings
SEPTEMBER 7, 2013
Organic growth (reinvesting profits only) will not allow you to build the “hockey stick” growth curve desired by premium buyers at exit, or financial analysts positioning you for public stock sale.
Startup Professionals Musings
APRIL 6, 2016
Investors have spread the word that you can’t get “hockey-stick” growth without a large cash infusion.
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