Lessons from a successful but unscalable startup
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The document outlines lessons learned from a successful but unscalable startup focused on creating a knowledge economy in the Netherlands. Key insights include the importance of genuine commitment, building a scalable business model, and the value of a strong team. Additionally, it emphasizes the significance of design and the need to maintain a balanced work-life approach while operating a startup.
Lessons from a successful but unscalable startup
- 1. Lessons from a successful but unscalable startup October 11th, 2011 The Founder Institute, Amsterdam
- 2. Lessons from a successful but unscalable startup October 11th, 2011 The Founder Institute, Amsterdam @fnauta
- 3. 1993 1997 1999 2000 2003 2005
- 4. Startup = Greatest tool to realize your dream
- 5. My dream: Catalyst for a smarter country "Vision in action": • Think Tank creates new vision for Netherlands • Translates it into projects • Help with kickstarting projects • Give them away • Organize learning around it
- 6. My dream: Catalyst for a smarter country "Vision in action": • Think Tank creates new vision for Netherlands • Translates it into projects • Help with kickstarting projects • Give them away • Organize learning around it Target: 2002 elections knowledge economy is central in coalition agreement
- 7. On the The Founder Institute scale • Meaningful: certainly, but on local scale • Enduring: hardly • Technology: no
- 9. Lesson: Ask for real commitment
- 11. 2002: Fit • We got a 'CFO' • Restructures in first month • Businessmodel clear - From Sponsor-model, to Consultancy, to service- & projectbureau • Research in other countries, such as Finland • First substantial profit
- 12. 2003: Mission accomplished • We create Knowledge economy hype • and we become a hype • Knowledge economy is part of the coalition agreement • I start working in The Hague as secretary of innovation for the Prime Minister
- 14. Lesson: Acquisition is not holy
- 16. Lessons on money • Avoid what seems easy money (subsidy, sponsors), it makes you stupid and creates huge transactional costs (and find a launching customer) • Even if you think money is not important, you still need a scalable business model, or you will get bored
- 17. Lessons on me • Startup is the best way to discover your strengths and weaknesses, make sure you find great people to cover your weaknesses • Working > 80 hours structurally is not cool, it means you're not organized effectively and wearing yourself out • A startup is a marathon: see yourself as a top sporter, and take care of yourself that way
- 18. Lessons on people • It's amazing how easy it is to get people to listen to you if you truly believe in something • Your team is by far your most important asset, so never accept anyone in the team because he's 'a friend of a friend' or because he's just 'OK' • Find truly great coaches and mentors (not famous ones, they are to busy)
- 19. More lessons • Look outside the Netherlands • Design is crucial, the love for detail shows you are really serious about your dream • You'll be pretty incompatible with large organizations after doing a startup