a16z Podcast

Developers as Creatives

Jan 13, 2021
Jeff Lawson, CEO and co-founder of Twilio, discusses the rising influence of developers as a creative class in the digital age. He explores how the shift to cloud and API economies has transformed customer interactions and the necessary role developers play in this evolution. Lawson emphasizes embracing a 'developer first' mindset to address business challenges effectively. He advocates for hackathons as a key source of innovation and highlights the importance of small team dynamics in fostering creativity and collaboration across all industries.
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ANECDOTE

Software Supply Chain Analogy

  • Jeff Lawson uses the automotive supply chain as an analogy for software development.
  • APIs are like specialized parts, enabling faster and more efficient software creation.
ADVICE

Build vs. Buy

  • Build software that directly faces your customers to differentiate your product.
  • Buying generic software won't give you a competitive edge in the market.
ANECDOTE

WhatsApp and Twilio

  • Jan Koum, WhatsApp co-founder, signed up for a Twilio account with a Yahoo email address.
  • This highlights how API companies prioritize developers as customers, not just a strategy.
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