Masters of Scale

Find co-creators everywhere, w/Exploding Kittens' Elan Lee

Dec 12, 2023

Elan Lee, co-founder and CEO of Exploding Kittens, shares insights on scaling a card game into a thriving company. He emphasizes the importance of community engagement and co-creation in the gaming industry. Elan reveals how a successful Kickstarter campaign forged deep connections with fans and transformed them into stakeholders. He discusses the logistics challenges of fulfilling 700,000 orders, the joy of collaborative creativity, and innovative methods like involving players as 'Kitty Test Pilots' to enhance gameplay. The conversation highlights turning obstacles into creative opportunities.

44:58

Episode guests

Elan Lee

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Episode notes

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

Creativity and diverse expertise are crucial for scaling from a potential one-off success to a prolific games studio.

Cultivating a community by transforming colleagues, partners, and customers into key stakeholders is essential for success.

Deep dives

A16Z podcast as a guiding light for founders

The A16Z podcast provides insights into important technology trends from remote work to autonomous vehicles, making it a valuable resource for entrepreneurs.

Challenges and Successes of Fulfilling Large Orders in the Gaming Industry

01:56

Success in Creating Hit Games and Gaining Leverage in Retail Negotiations

01:12

Empowerment and Co-Creation in Product Development

01:59

The Importance of Focusing on the Crowd in Crowdfunding Campaigns

01:32

Intro

6min

The Art of Co-Creation and Simplification in Product Design

5min

From Game Designer to Community Creator

13min

Scaling Challenges of Unprecedented Success

4min

Navigating Creative Collaborations

4min

Creating a Game with Exploding Success

13min

The Power of Multi-Generational Co-Creation

3min

Redefining Identity: The Power of Simplicity in Branding

4min

What lessons can business leaders learn from the games industry? Elan Lee, co-founder of Exploding Kittens Inc., joins Reid Hoffman to discuss how Exploding Kittens became one of the most successful Kickstarter campaigns of all time. Elan shares how creativity and diverse expertise were essential for scaling a potential one-off success into a prolific games studio. And he reveals how he cultivated a community by transforming casual colleagues, partners and customers into key stakeholders.

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Masters of Scale

Find co-creators everywhere, w/Exploding Kittens' Elan Lee

Episode guests

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

Deep dives

A16Z podcast as a guiding light for founders

The Chris Gethard Show and the power of community

Exploding Kittens and the power of co-creation

Dagnidova's expansion and the value of simplicity

Challenges and Successes of Fulfilling Large Orders in the Gaming Industry

Success in Creating Hit Games and Gaining Leverage in Retail Negotiations

Empowerment and Co-Creation in Product Development

The Importance of Focusing on the Crowd in Crowdfunding Campaigns

Remember Everything You Learn from Podcasts