Learn about network bonding theory and how to build network effects startups. Topics discussed include turning companies into networks, compensating nodes with non-fungible tokens, network-on-network competition, and examples of network bonding and attacks.

In this episode, Pete Flint discusses the four major defensibilities in the digital world: network effects, brand, embedding, and scale. He emphasizes the importance of these defensibilities in early-stage startups and explains why focusing on network effects can be more beneficial than scale effects. The episode also explores the role of intellectual property in certain categories and how to incorporate different forms of defensibility over time. Durability = Network Effects + Economies of Scale + Brand + Embedding + IP. Learn about these other 4 strategies for startup durability outside of network effects from NFX General Partner, Pete Flint. Value creation mostly accrues in the out-years when usage, revenue, and growth compound. Founders who win big spend more time at the beginning on creating products and business mechanisms that follow these five durability factors and thus drive increasing returns at scale. This is an audio version of episode 4 from The Network Effects Masterclass, curated for audio and listening on the go. For the full video experience, transcripts, and recommended reading, join the free Network Effects Masterclass at - NFX.com/masterclass. (0:00) Introduction to the episode: The 4 pillars of defensibility with Pete Flint (1:09) Creation of a marketplace in the US real estate industry: Pete Flint's journey (2:52) The importance of defensibility in early-stage startups (3:29) The four major defensibilities in the digital world: network effects, brand, embedding, and scale (8:43) The concept of embedding as a form of defensibility with examples (11:23) Scale as a form of defensibility: concept and significance (15:26) Network effects vs scale effects: Why early-stage startups should focus on network effects (16:21) The role of IP as a form of defensibility in certain categories (17:06) Incorporating a combination of defensibilities in a startup over time (24:00) Exploring related material on NFX.com (29:00) Sponsor: ${name}

In this episode, James Currier dives into the Network Effects Masterclass, exploring various types of network effects. He discusses personal utility, direct, marketplace, platform, expertise, and data network effects, with examples from Bit Torrent and Skype. He also explores social or human, tribal, and hub and spoke network effects, emphasizing their cultural and business influence. Unlock the NFX map to understand how each network effect works — in episode 3 of the Network Effects Masterclass, General Partner James Currier will review the 16 types of network effects and how they reinforce each other in powerful ways. Learn to analyze the NFX map to determine how to engineer sustained, long-term growth into your startup. This is an abridged version of episode 3 from The Network Effects Masterclass, curated for audio and listening on the go. For the full video experience, transcripts, and recommended reading, join the free Network Effects Masterclass at - NFX.com/masterclass. (0:00) Introduction to the episode and the Network Effects Masterclass (1:17) Overview of different types of network effects (4:00) Deep dive into personal utility and direct network effects with examples (6:06) Examination of marketplace and platform network effects (10:29) Understanding expertise and data network effects (14:09) Tech performance as a network effect: Bit Torrent and Skype as examples (15:16) Social or human network effects: Language as the first example (17:38) Tribal network effect and its influence on business and product design (19:32) The cultural aspect of the bandwagon effect (20:47) Exploration of the hub and spoke network effect (22:58) The journey and excitement in reinforcing network effects

Unlearn what you thought you knew about network effects. This episode takes you to the very beginning and lays out network theory from square one. Listen in as James covers the basics of network principles to use as a launchpad for the rest of the course and see how your startup behaves as a network itself. This is an abridged version of episode 2 from The Network Effects Masterclass, curated for audio and listening on the go. For the full video experience, transcripts, and recommended reading, join the free Network Effects Masterclass at - NFX.com/masterclass. (0:00) Introduction to episode 2: The Underlying Properties of Network Theory (1:06) Fundamental properties of a network: nodes, links, and structures (3:22) Understanding network structures, shapes, and associated laws (6:07) Reaching critical mass in a network & building clustering coefficients (8:46) The importance and impact of real IDs in network properties (12:57) Example of a marketplace network: Outdoorsy and Lending Club (15:13) Avoiding negative network effects and dealing with network pollution (18:30) Overcoming business growth challenges: Chicken or egg problem and multi-tenanting (20:57) The difference between network effects and viral effects (24:39) Understanding viral growth: the concept of K factor and the need for constant reinvention (27:29) Announcement: Release schedule for upcoming NFX podcast episodes (27:35) Sponsor: NFX masterclass available online

In this episode, James Currier provides a masterclass on Network Effects. He discusses his experiences, understanding, and the evolution of network effects in companies like Monster.com, Apple, and Salesforce. The episode explores the history and importance of network effects with examples from marketplaces, AT&T, and Microsoft, and presents case studies on Facebook and WhatsApp. The episode also teases upcoming content. Few understand the hidden complexities of network effects - learn all there is to know about building iconic companies from day one. This is episode 1 of the Network Effects Masterclass (audio edition). You'll hear a short introduction from NFX Partner James Currier on what you will learn in this masterclass to build your company into the next world-class startup and understand why network effects are the #1 advantage in driving exponential growth. This is an abridged version of episode 1 from The Network Effects Masterclass, curated for audio and listening on the go. For the full video experience, transcripts, and recommended reading, join the free Network Effects Masterclass at - NFX.com/masterclass. Stay tuned for weekly episodes until we finish the course. (0:00) Introduction to the Network Effects MasterClass (1:30) The hosts' experience with network effects in companies and their significance (4:12) Realization and evolution of network effects in companies like Monster.com, Apple, and Salesforce (5:38) Understanding what network effects are and what they are not (7:05) History and importance of network effects, examples from marketplaces, AT&T, and Microsoft (10:14) The historical context of network effects and the emergence of web 3 (12:20) Case studies: Facebook and WhatsApp (12:43) Conclusion and next episode teaser

In this episode, James Currier delves into the significance of network effects, providing insights on their impact on startups and daily life. Also included is an introduction to a master class on network effects. At NFX, we've spent over 20 years studying the power of network effects. As founders, we’ve built them into companies worth $10B+. As investors, we teach our founders these playbooks. Now we’re putting everything we know into an 11-episode Network Effects Masterclass, made for early-stage startup founders and their teams. There will be a full video and transcript experience on NFX.com — but we’re also abridging each episode for a native audio experience here for our NFX podcast listeners. Few understand the hidden complexities of network effects - learn everything there is to know about building iconic companies from day one. Coming soon to The NFX Podcast. (0:00) The Importance of Network Effects - James Currier (0:34) Master Class Introduction - James Currier (1:07) Understanding Network Effects - James Currier (1:50) Impact of Network Effects on Life and Startups - James Currier (2:09) Sponsor: Network Effects Master Class - MC

In this engaging discussion, Jennifer Dionne, founder of Pumpkin Seed and former Stanford professor, and Yaniv Erlich, CEO of Eleven Therapeutics and former Columbia professor, share insights on their shift from academia to entrepreneurship. They tackle the dilemma of whether to pursue postdoctoral positions or jump into startups, highlighting the challenges and rewards of each path. The duo emphasizes the importance of harnessing scientific skills for innovation and personal fulfillment, inspiring future scientist-founders to forge their own paths.

In this episode, Pete Flint chats with Brett Hagler about the recent activities and innovative strides of New Story. They delve into the company's origin, growth, and their mantra of pursuing innovative ideas. They discuss the influence of community on aspirations and New Story's culture and values. The conversation also covers the intersection of Web 3 and real estate financing, future plans, and the potential of NFTs for nonprofits. Some problems are so big, they feel crazy to even try to solve them. Global homelessness, for example. 1.6 billion people today are living without adequate housing*. This represents a massive, underserved market, and a type of problem often overlooked by tech Founders. Fortunately, Brett Hagler and his Co-Founders at New Story Charity are tackling it head-on, with an unlikely combination of 3D printed homes, Bitcoin-based mortgages, and fundraising via NFTs. Pete Flint has had the privilege of serving on New Story’s board since they graduated YCombinator in 2015 and have since witnessed their impressive, fearless growth. What looked at first like an intractable problem now seems like fertile ground for radical proptech-meets-Web3 innovation. Real estate is the story of our lives. (0:00) Introduction and Guest Introduction: Brett Hagler (5:26) Update on New Story's Recent Activities and Innovation (11:09) Origin Story and Growth of New Story (14:05) New Story's "Crazy Until It's Not" Mantra and Pursuit of Innovative Ideas (22:32) Sponsor: NFX Podcast Promotion (23:03) Influence of Community and Network on Aspirations (24:10) New Story's Culture, Values, and North Star Metric (32:29) Intersection of Web 3 and Real Estate Financing (38:09) Future Plans for New Story, Scaling Up Web 3 Use Cases and NFTs for Nonprofits (43:14) Closing Thoughts with Pete Flint and Episode Wrap-Up

In this episode, Pete Flint converses with Sarah Friar about her career and the COVID impact on Nextdoor. They discuss crisis leadership, the power of storytelling, the evolving landscape of social networks, and building network effects in localized businesses. The conversation also touches on balancing growth, community engagement, new technologies' potential consequences, and different ways for a company to go public. Nextdoor, the social media app for neighborhoods, which is actively used in 1 in 3 households in the U.S., was recently valued at $4.3B and listed on the NYSE last week (November 8, 2021) under the ticker symbol "KIND." Today’s episode is a glimpse into the thoughtful, humanist view of Sarah Friar, the CEO of Nextdoor, former CFO of Square, and board member of Slack. She cautions us not to disappear into the metaverse, and also encourages today’s and tomorrow’s Founders to cure gaps in the world — and do it with eyes wide open to consequences at scale. There’s more tension than there is harmony between “offline vs. online,” and yet one company is uniquely positioned to bridge the two for the benefit of us all. (0:00) Introduction and Sarah Friar's career journey (7:33) The impact of the COVID pandemic on Nextdoor and crisis leadership (15:13) Nextdoor as a purpose-driven company and the power of storytelling (22:32) Sponsor message (23:27) The changing landscape of social networks: the metaverse and community (29:09) Building network effects in localized businesses and overcoming the cold start problem (37:44) Balancing growth and community engagement, and the potential consequences of new technologies (41:50) Different ways a company can go public and understanding the business before IPO (47:41) Closing remarks and thanks to Sarah Friar

In this episode, James Currier chats with Antonio Rojas, discussing his role at LVP and their focus on LatAm. They delve into Antonio's investment experience, the importance of entrepreneurial networks in Mexico, and the impact of increasing valuations in LatAm. They also discuss international outreach, unique challenges, the rise of web 3, and the potential of investments to influence societal change. NFX has been increasingly active in LatAm over the last few years, largely drawn there by an incredibly talented pool of Founders in the region. To understand the unique challenges and opportunities of LatAm, James talked with Antonia Rojas, the youngest female partner at ALLVP and a rising star in the startup ecosystem there. They co-led the Nuvocargo Seed round together. Based in Mexico City, she has a “boots on the ground” view of Latin America that I love. Methods for building network effects there is not what one might think -- and as a result, go-to-market in Latin America demands building trust bridges and leveraging confidence networks. Understanding the psychology of LatAm consumers is a powerful unlock for new Founders entering the region. (0:00) Introduction to the NFX podcast and guest Antonio Rojas (1:19) Antonio's role at LVP and their focus on Spanish speaking LatAm (4:07) Antonio's investment experience and perspective on VC in LatAm (9:47) Importance of fostering entrepreneurial networks in Mexico and standout tech companies (14:06) Impact of increasing valuations and funding challenges for middle-level companies in LatAm (18:16) Outreach from international investors and how to connect with NFX (21:57) Unique challenges and cultural understanding in the LatAm market (25:12) The rise of web 3, Antonia's investment focus, and chosen sectors in LatAm (30:05) Potential of investments to influence societal change and digital trends in LatAm (34:51) Future of solutions built on the data from digitization in LatAm and wrap-up