Founders in Arms Raw Wisdom for Modern Founders With Serial Founder Hiten Shah
15 snips
Feb 14, 2025 Hiten Shah, a serial entrepreneur known for his successful ventures like Crazy Egg and KISSmetrics, joins the conversation with Immad Akhund and Rajat Suri. They delve into the complexities of founder identity in large companies and share hard-won lessons on navigating acquisitions. The trio discusses the evolving AI landscape, the differences between venture-backed and bootstrapped startups, and the significance of aligning personal passions with business goals. Practical insights on customer choices and competitive strategies offer valuable wisdom for aspiring founders.
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Early Start and First Job
- Hiten Shah's entrepreneurial journey began at a young age, influenced by his father.
- He worked at Dropbox after selling his company, Nira, marking his first traditional job.
Building vs. Selling
- Building a large, impactful business is the ultimate goal, not just selling it.
- Self-funding offers more control and aligns better with long-term value creation.
Paul Buchheit's Advice
- In 2007, Paul Buchheit advised against startups for getting rich, suggesting working at established companies instead.
- Immad Akhund's friends who joined Facebook and Google earned more than he did after selling his startup.