Kickstarter Co-Founder: Financial Maximization Is Destroying Our Humanity | Yancey Strickler

In a world where company worth is often measured by profits alone, Yancey Strickler sought to create a company where values mattered more than just money. Throughout his career as an author and co-founder of Kickstarter and Metalabel, Yancey continuously advocates for a new view of success, emphasizing the impact companies can make beyond the financial bottom line.

Yancey Strickler is the co-founder and former CEO of Kickstarter and the co-founder and director of Metalabel. He is also the author of This Could Be Our Future and the mind behind the philosophy of Bentoism, a framework that considers community, the present self, and the future self in decision-making.

In this episode, Dart and Yancey discuss:
- Financial maximization culture
- Defining a company’s value beyond profits
- Kickstarter’s bylaws
- The philosophy behind Bentoism
- The impact of financial maximization on company evolution
- The Metalabel startup
- Heterarchy in organizations
- Yancey’s biggest lessons learned
- And other topics…

Yancey Strickler is a writer, entrepreneur, and the co-founder and former CEO of Kickstarter. He is also the co-founder and director of Metalabel, a new space for releasing, selling, and exhibiting creative work. Yancey is the author of This Could Be Our Future and the visionary behind the philosophy of Bentoism, a framework that considers community, the present self, and the future self in decision-making.

Earlier in his career, Yancey established the record label eMusic Selects and co-founded The Creative Independent, an online resource center for artists across disciplines. He has also made significant contributions as a music critic, writing for publications such as Pitchfork, Spin, and The Village Voice.

Resources mentioned:
This Could Be Our Future, by Yancey Strickler: https://www.amazon.com/This-Could-Our-Future-Manifesto/dp/052556084X
Our Band Could Be Your Life, by Michael Azerrad:  https://www.amazon.com/Our-Band-Could-Your-Life/dp/0316787531 
“The Dark Forest Theory of the Internet,” by Yancey Strickler: https://ystrickler.com/2019/05/26/2019-the-dark-forest-theory-of-the-internet-1/
Humanocracy, by Gary Hamel: https://www.amazon.com/Humanocracy-Creating-Organizations-Amazing-People/dp/1633696022

Connect with Yancey:
www.ystrickler.com
www.metalabel.com 

Work with Dart:
Dart is the CEO and co-founder of the work design firm 11fold. Build work that makes employees feel alive, connected to their work, and focused on what’s most important to the business. Book a call at 11fold.com.