The Twenty Minute VC (20VC): Venture Capital | Startup Funding | The Pitch
20VC: Linear's Karri Saarinen How to be Grow Capital Efficiently in a World of BS Growth | How to Fundraise with Leverage | How to Select Investors and How to Give Them Homework in the Raise Process & Growth Lessons from Airbnb and Coinbase
Oct 30, 2024
Karri Saarinen, Co-founder and CEO of Linear, shares invaluable insights from his experience at Airbnb and Coinbase. He argues against the common notion that founders should 'always be raising,' emphasizing quality growth over hyper-growth. Karri discusses how to strategically leverage VCs by giving them productive 'homework.' He reflects on his best and worst fundraising meetings and shares lessons on minimizing dilution. The conversation highlights the importance of sustainable practices and user experience, offering a fresh perspective on scaling startups.
47:30
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Quick takeaways
- Sustainable growth is prioritized over hypergrowth, emphasizing real product demand rather than inflated metrics for long-term success.
- Previous roles at Airbnb and Coinbase highlighted the importance of product quality and effective leadership in achieving impactful results.
Deep dives
The Importance of Sustainable Growth
Sustainable and profitable growth is emphasized as a better alternative to rapid expansion fueled by significant spending. The speaker argues that many startups fall into the trap of pursuing hypergrowth, which often leads to unsustainable business practices, such as overspending without generating adequate revenue. Citing the example of Linear, the approach is to focus on growth based on real demand for the product rather than artificially inflating growth metrics. This strategy allows businesses to maintain their integrity and ensures long-term viability.
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