Rethinking Startup Approaches in Complex Industries

Want actionable advice from a founder who has built multiple tech companies and has invested the time to be open, introspective, and transparent about lessons learned?

In this episode (which originally aired as a YouTube video), a16z General Partner Andrew Chen (@@andrewchen) talks with Justin Kan (@justinkan). Justin is a repeat entrepreneur who co-founded Kiko Software (a Web 2.0 calendar that pre-dated Google Calendar by 4 years); Justin.tv (a lifecasting platform); Twitch.tv (a live streaming platform for esports, music, and other creatives now part of Amazon); Socialcam; and now Atrium, a software-powered law firm for startups.

Justin reflects on his journey and shares 10 + 1 lessons he’s learned:

• The paradox of choice: choosing a focus
• Tradeoffs between B2B versus B2C companies
• Market risk vs execution risk
• Fundraising strategy: go big or stay lean?
• Managing the stress of being a startup CEO (again!)
• Seeking out mentors, coaches, and peers for help
• Intentionally designing a culture to avoid the pitfalls of “culture eating strategy”
• Things he’s still doing in his latest startup—and things he’s doing very differently
• Managing higher expectations
• What he’s reading and listening to
• Bonus: advice he’d give his 20-year old self

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