Expert insights. Personalized for you.
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
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
“Growth hacking perpetuates this myth that you can magically achieve hockey-stick growth by using short-term “hacks.” “ I have always encouraged teams to think about growth as daily blocking-and-tackling rather than a dark art. MORE
SEPTEMBER 29, 2018
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
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
For startups targeting consumers, "investors want to see 'hockey stick' adoption rates which imply consistent or increasing growth rates on a percentage basis," says Davis. You could have the greatest idea for a startup in the world. 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
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
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
In the accounting business, your revenue chart basically looks like a hockey stick,” says Ernie Mayhorn, owner of Capital Tax Solutions in Carson City, Nev., To even out the “hockey stick” revenue cycles, Ernie finds money-making opportunities for slow periods. 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
Careful about “hockey stick” forecasts. If you’re looking for growth capital, this one’s for you. We’ll cover what information you’ll expect to provide, your range of expected values and amounts of investment to expect. All to help you set your expectations. 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
Its easy to get high on your own supply as a startup—watching hockey stick growth on an initial launch, knocking down a big biz dev deal, but the road is long and hard no matter who you are. 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. Dave Power growth slowdown hockey stick s-curve 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
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
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
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
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
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
All investors want to see real evidence that the dogs will eat the dogfood before they give any credibility to your hockey-stick projection curves. 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
The "Hockey Stick" is a Great Story, Don't Get Me Wrong. The "hockey stick" is a pretty familiar visualization for startups. You have to be able to tell a good story. I mean that as a general rule. i'm a folklorist after all, right?). MORE
Hockey sticks. Initial indications showed that hockey sticks production and Prosthetics might be considered as “Gold mine” opportunities, while Drones and Bridges were defined as “Moon shots”. MORE
Hockey Stick Related Topics 
Startup Professionals Musings
MARCH 20, 2020
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. Dave Power growth slowdown hockey stick s-curve
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!
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Where to Play
JULY 18, 2019
Hockey sticks. Initial indications showed that hockey sticks production and Prosthetics might be considered as “Gold mine” opportunities, while Drones and Bridges were defined as “Moon shots”.
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.
The Next Web
JANUARY 16, 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
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.
Startup Professionals Musings
AUGUST 10, 2019
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
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.
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.
YoungUpstarts
SEPTEMBER 23, 2019
In the accounting business, your revenue chart basically looks like a hockey stick,” says Ernie Mayhorn, owner of Capital Tax Solutions in Carson City, Nev., To even out the “hockey stick” revenue cycles, Ernie finds money-making opportunities for slow periods.
Startup Professionals Musings
SEPTEMBER 29, 2018
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.
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
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.
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 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.
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.
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
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.
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
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.
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.
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.
ReadWriteStart
NOVEMBER 11, 2010
The "Hockey Stick" is a Great Story, Don't Get Me Wrong. The "hockey stick" is a pretty familiar visualization for startups. You have to be able to tell a good story. I mean that as a general rule. i'm a folklorist after all, right?).
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.
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.
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%.
Startup Professionals Musings
APRIL 6, 2016
Investors have spread the word that you can’t get “hockey-stick” growth without a large cash infusion.
Startup Professionals Musings
NOVEMBER 27, 2015
All investors want to see real evidence that the dogs will eat the dogfood before they give any credibility to your hockey-stick projection curves.
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!
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.
Startup Professionals Musings
JULY 19, 2013
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Berkonomics
MARCH 21, 2019
Careful about “hockey stick” forecasts. If you’re looking for growth capital, this one’s for you. We’ll cover what information you’ll expect to provide, your range of expected values and amounts of investment to expect. All to help you set your expectations.
Both Sides of the Table
JANUARY 11, 2014
“Growth hacking perpetuates this myth that you can magically achieve hockey-stick growth by using short-term “hacks.” “ I have always encouraged teams to think about growth as daily blocking-and-tackling rather than a dark art.
ReadWriteStart
AUGUST 31, 2010
For startups targeting consumers, "investors want to see 'hockey stick' adoption rates which imply consistent or increasing growth rates on a percentage basis," says Davis. You could have the greatest idea for a startup in the world.
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.
This is going to be BIG.
NOVEMBER 1, 2010
Its easy to get high on your own supply as a startup—watching hockey stick growth on an initial launch, knocking down a big biz dev deal, but the road is long and hard no matter who you are.
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.
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