A Product Market Fit Show | Startup Podcast for Founders
He built a $4B unicorn & crossed $100M ARR—here's why it took 10 years of 100-hour weeks. | Martin Basiri, Founder of Passage & Applyboard (SaaS North Keynote)
Dec 16, 2024
In a captivating talk, Martin Basiri, the founder of the $4B unicorn Applyboard and new venture Passage, shares his journey of relentless perseverance. He reveals how 100-hour work weeks and the right mindset can lead to success, even in high-stress situations. Martin emphasizes the importance of hiring exceptional talent and maintaining a lean team for innovation. He reflects on making tough decisions to restart and his commitment to accessible education, driven by a powerful belief in never giving up.
30:02
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Quick takeaways
- Martin's relentless work ethic, exemplified by 100-hour weeks, highlights the dedication necessary to build a successful startup like ApplyBoard.
- His focus on creating meaningful educational opportunities underscores the impact entrepreneurial ventures can have on underprivileged communities and systemic challenges.
Deep dives
From Immigrant to Innovator
Martin's journey from an immigrant with limited English skills to a successful founder illustrates his resilience and ambition. After immigrating to Canada from Iran, he leveraged his background in engineering and coding to co-found ApplyBoard, a company valued at $4 billion that assists students in studying abroad. His personal experiences with education shaped his mission to provide opportunities to others faced with financial or systemic challenges, leading him to leave ApplyBoard and start Passage. This new venture aims to create sustainable educational pathways for the brightest individuals globally, ensuring that financial constraints do not hinder their academic pursuits.
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